Why Premier thinks kids don’t need to go to uni

Premier Daniel Andrews has spruiked the benefits of TAFE qualifications, saying they’re “the same” as university degrees and lead to more secure jobs.

Daniel Andrews says TAFEs, such as this one designed for Chisholm, is as good a pathway to jobs as uni. Picture: Gray Puksand

TAFE qualifications are equal to university degrees and lead to arguably better jobs, according to Premier Daniel Andrews.

Speaking on Friday at the start of the second stage of a $151m redevelopment project aimed at turning Chisholm TAFE’s Frankston campus into a world-class facility, the Premier said Victorians no longer needed to consider forking out for university courses.

“This is about sending the clearest possible message to every young person, to every parent, that this pathway is equal to a university pathway,” he said.

“When they’re thinking about their future, they don’t have to go to university. If they want to, fine, but they don’t have to.

“This is just the same quality, it leads to just as good jobs, arguably more secure jobs, more certain employment pathways.”

Daniel Andrews says Victorians no longer need to fork out for university courses. Picture: David Crosling

Mr Andrews said the government was investing in TAFE in a bid to establish a workforce skilled enough to “get things done that are so important today and for our future”.

The Frankston expansion will create room for another 2000 students, according to the state government.

It will include a building housing students from free TAFE courses like mental health and cyber security.

Mr Andrews took the opportunity to slam the state opposition, saying TAFE would be shut down under a Liberal government.

“Stage two for our opponents was literally to shut TAFE down – to privatise the entire system – there would’ve been no public provider,” he said.

“So savage were the cuts, the closures, the course cancellations, the sackings.

“It’s really pleasing to be able to reflect now on such a different way forward.”