State Opposition call for NSW Government to name and shame “shonky” private colleges

A BATTLE has erupted over the naming and shaming of 11 “shonky” private colleges which have already left hundreds of Coast students high and dry.

A BATTLE has erupted over the naming and shaming of 11 “shonky” private colleges across the state which have already left almost 250 Central Coast students high and dry.

Central Coast Opposition spokesman David Harris claims thousands of students are at further risk of enrolling in overpriced courses because the State Government refuses to reveal the hit list of “dodgy” providers.

Documents released to NSW Labor after a six-month freedom of information request show 11 terminated providers targeted students in eight local suburbs, including Tuggerah, Gosford and Woy Woy.

Eleven national providers have had funding cut for failing to meet standards under the NSW Government’s Smart and Skilled program.

Mr Harris said many private college courses were offered at exorbitant prices, resulting in fees climbing and student enrolments plummeting for TAFE courses.

“Students on the Central Coast looking to get a head start in life need to be encouraged, not made to be targets for greedy private operators,” Mr Harris said.

“It’s alarming that working class suburbs are being singled out as target areas.

“The Government needs to step up and protect people from the shonks.”

The State Opposition said naming dodgy providers would help prevent further damage.

A spokesman for Minister for Skills John Barilaro said “suspended” providers were not named until a “serious breach” could be identified­.

However, the Express Advocate understands the list obtained by NSW Labor includes “terminated” providers that have already had funding cut.

“Smart & Skilled provides a robust framework of accountability and transparency — protection for our students — something that never existed under Labor,” the spokesman said.

“We’ll continue to implement increased levels of vigilance in identifying providers who may not be delivering the quality of training demanded under Smart and Skilled.

“Providing the highest level of education and training and protecting our students is our absolute priority and that is why strict quality criteria apply to providers seeking to deliver NSW Government subsidised training under Smart and Skilled.

“This clearly demonstrates the effectiveness of the quality controls we have in place now with Smart and Skilled, and further that the review system works in order to protect students from providers who do not deliver the highest quality education and training demanded of them.

“And these cases also prove how we have acted quickly to terminate providers found not to be delivering the quality of training that students deserve.

“However, like the national regulator, we do not name suspended colleges until we can demonstrate that a serious breach has occurred.

“Naming suspended providers would only cause students undue and unwarranted concern and this of course is not helpful in any way, especially where the breaches are found to be minor.”

Students who may be affected by the termination of Smart and Skilled contracts are encouraged to contact Training Services NSW via email at: [e-mail]

Originally published as State Opposition call for NSW Government to name and shame “shonky” private colleges