NSW is set to overhaul its TAFE sector after a review revealed years of policy “fixes” had depleted it of public and industry confidence, slashed student and staff numbers and rendered it often unresponsive to local job needs.

An interim report found that TAFE NSW, the country’s largest training provider with more than 400,000 enrolments each year, was not well-placed to help the state deal with skill shortages or prepare a workforce for emerging industries.