TAFE SA crisis: Private trainers ready to fill shipbuilding skills gap

INDUSTRY organisations have put their hand up to train thousands of shipbuilding workers in entry-level courses as the TAFE SA scandal continues.

INDUSTRY organisations have put their hands up to train thousands of shipbuilding workers in entry-level courses as the TAFE SA scandal continues.

Industry Training Providers Association says its members including electrical and engineering are ready and able to service the training needs of the Adelaide’s new Naval Shipbuilding College.

Last week, The Advertiser revealed the TAFE saga had delayed the college because the institution was part of a consortium bid to run it.

It would be possible for the college, once established, to sub-contact training to other providers. However, this was not the preferred model.

Industry Training Providers Association chair Peter Nolan said governments and the defence industry could rely on the capability and track record of the peak industry organisation’s members.

“Many, many thousands of this state’s finest skilled tradespeople were trained by our members,” he said.

“We can satisfy every entry level trade training requirement identified by the Department of Defence for the initial phase of the Naval Shipbuilding College.”

A Federal Government spokeswoman said: “The tender for the NSC has closed and a tender process is currently underway, however it would be possible for any training organisation to approach the NSC once it is established and put forward a proposal to become a training provider.”

SA Skills Minister Susan Close has dismissed concerns that TAFE’s issues had anything to do with the college delay and accused the Federal Government of blame shifting.