Local MP Greg Warren has once again hammered the Baird Government’s policy on TAFE education.
“In the electorate of Campbelltown and in the broader Macarthur region, we continue to experience unprecedented urban growth through the Camden, Campbelltown and Wollondilly local government areas,’’ Mr Warren told the parliament during debate of a motion on TAFE.
“That means we need more builders, plumbers and landscapers; we need skills.
“Sadly, though, the government’s Smart and Skilled position has seen courses removed from Campbelltown TAFE,’’ Mr Warren said.
The MP also told parliament that having gone through TAFE himself he was fully aware of the value of the education it offered.
“The member for Camden is quite right: Campbelltown TAFE has many devoted staff,’’ Mr Warren said.
“It is a fine institution. I attended it myself at the end of my military career because the skills that I had learned in the army were, quite simply, not consistent with being in a civil workforce.
[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]“I began management studies there, and I feel humbled and privileged that I was able to finish my Master of Business Administration a few years ago.[/social_quote]
“It is something I followed through with, and TAFE gave me that start.’’
According to Mr Warren, who has campaigned against cuts to TAFE since being elected in 2015, the number of apprentices and trainees in NSW fell from 145,000 in December 2010 to 80,000 in December 2015.
The number of apprentice and trainee commencements in the state dropped nearly 98,000 in 2010 to approximately 44,000 in 2015.
“We have also seen a 22 per cent jump in course fees,’’ Mr Warren said.
“The member for Camden [Chris Patterson] was right in alluding to the fact that not everyone wants to go to university, and that does not mean anything negative.
“People of any persuasion can function very well in this place with or without a degree.
“My former councillor colleague and I do not agree on everything all the time, but we do agree on the importance of getting skills in our local area and region.’’
