TAFE SA to cut business and community courses in city, increase regional teaching
Teaching students how to run a business will be cut from TAFE courses in the city, with private trainers expected to fill the gap. But TAFE will offer more in the regions and some hi-tech courses.
Tertiary
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TAFE SA will stop teaching a large number of business and other courses in Adelaide next year but increase technical opportunities.
It also will increase courses available at regional campuses, create more apprenticeship positions and deliver more vocational education and training to school students, chief executive David Coltman said.
It was essential for TAFE SA to adapt and adjust to prepare for changing needs of the workforce and in response to the effects of the pandemic on the economy, he said.
Among 20 courses to be scrapped are diplomas in business, accounting, project management and early childhood education as well as certificate IIIs in individual support for disability and ageing.
TAFE expects privately run registered training organisations in metropolitan Adelaide to offer the courses it will cut.
The 21 new courses – some of which have already been introduced – include diplomas in viticulture, outdoor leadership and animal technology as well as certificate IIIs in mining exploration and civil construction.
“There is a need at this time for changes to TAFE SA’s training profile so that we can align to the changing needs of South Australia’s employers and industry,” Mr Coltman said.
“Having the ability to change which courses we offer and work with other providers means TAFE SA can focus on delivering the education and training for the jobs of today and the future.
“TAFE SA will continue to be key to the state’s COVID-19 economic recovery.
“As an organisation, we will support a contestable and competitive VET market by focusing our delivery on new courses that are aligned to the future needs across the state.
“This approach has resulted in new courses being offered in 2021 in the areas of water industry operations, mining, construction and animal technologies.
“With industry support we are also developing new course proposals in fusion welding, advanced cyber security and an introduction to shipbuilding.
“We aim to launch these courses in 2021.”
Students now enrolled in courses to be cut will be able to complete their training at TAFE SA.
A TAFE spokesman said it was too early to assess the impact on staff numbers.
Education Minister John Gardner said TAFE had worked hard to establish “the right trajectory” after a series of problems.
“It will continue to play a critical role in skilling SA job seekers into the future, including supporting high demand future industries such as defence and cyber,” he said.
Innovation and Skills Minister David Pisoni said “increased investment in training across both TAFE SA and non-government providers means we’re well-placed to deliver the training that South australians will require for long-term and rewarding careers”.
Concerns about a reduction in TAFE courses had been raised by the Australian Education Union and Opposition.
AEU SA president Lara Golding said it was “beyond belief” courses were being cut at a time the economy needed reskilling.
“We need to reinvest in TAFE, not cut courses,” she said.
“People in metropolitan and regional SA need access to quality, affordable vocational education through TAFE.”
Opposition Education spokesman Blair Boyer said the changes were another example of “reckless” privatisation by the Government.
“The tragic case of Ann Marie Smith reinforced the need for aged care and disability staff with quality qualifications,” he said.
“That means building up TAFE not relying on private, for-profit companies with hourly paid trainers.”
THE COURSE CHANGES
Courses to be cut from metropolitan Adelaide
Certificate II in Business
Certificate III in Micro Business Operations
Certificate III in Business Administration
Certificate IV in Business
Certificate IV in Business Administration
Certificate IV in Human Resources
Certificate IV in Project Management Practice
Certificate IV in Leadership and Management
Diploma of Business
Diploma of Project Management
Diploma of Leadership and Management
Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care
Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care
Certificate III in Individual Support
Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing)
Certificate III in Individual Support (Disability)
Certificate III in Individual Support (Home and Community)
Certificate III in Accounts Administration
Certificate IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping
Diploma of Accounting
New courses offered in 2021
Course in Electrician - Minimum Australian Context Gap
Course in Wellbeing and Resilience
Certificate I in English Proficiency
Certificate II in English Proficiency
Certificate III in English Proficiency
Certificate IV in English Proficiency
Certificate II in General Education for Adults
Diploma of Animal Technology
Certificate IV in Agribusiness
Diploma of Viticulture
Certificate III in Wine Industry Operations
Certificate I in Access to Vocational Pathways
Certificate I in Skills for Vocational Pathways
Certificate II in Skills for Work and Vocational Pathways
Certificate III in Water Industry Operations
Certificate IV in Auslan
Certificate II in Resources and Infrastructure Work Preparation
Certificate III in Mining Exploration
Certificate III in Civil Construction
Advanced Diploma of Intense Pulsed Light and Laser for Hair Reduction
Diploma of Outdoor Leadership