Labor’s Minister for Skills and TAFE, Gayle Tierney has failed to provide any certainty on the future of Wonthaggi’s Chisholm TAFE during question time in state parliament.
Seeking assurances on behalf of the local community, The Nationals’ Melina Bath asked Minister Tierney if Chisholm TAFE in Wonthaggi would return to face to face classes.
Instead of providing a firm commitment, the Minister would not be drawn on its fate merely saying, “discussions were ongoing” Ms Bath said.
“The Bass Coast community deserves surety that it will have access to quality face to face vocation learning opportunities.
“As it stands, locals can only undertake training online while a vocational training centre with a purpose built computer lab, allied health and early childhood education facilities all sit empty.
“The lack of skills training in the Bass Coast is disadvantaging locals.
“It is unreasonable and financially draining for people who want to upskill and undertake a course to travel long distances to attend physical classes in other regions.
Ms Bath said the Allan Labor Government had been caught kicking the tin down the road on Wonthaggi’s Chisholm TAFE.
“The local economy and job market in Bass Coast must be better supported by their local TAFE – we need skilled childcare, allied health, disability and aged care workers, trades and skilled hospitality staff,” said Ms Bath.
“It is unacceptable for a municipality of 42,000 residents to have no proper TAFE presence.
“Labor is seemingly content to deny Bass Coast residents access to the same standard of training as all other Victorians – I call on the government to rectify the situation immediately.
Labor can’t manage money, can’t manage TAFE training and Bass Coast locals are paying the price.”
