Thursday, 31 August 2023

TAFE funding

Tim McCURDY (Ovens Valley) (17:12): (333) My adjournment is to the Minister for Higher Education in the other place, and the action that I seek is that the minister fund GOTAFE’s recent decision to end registered training organisation funding and support in Wangaratta. The GOTAFE executive recently decided to remove their RTO funding support. This will have a negative impact on many of the RTO providers who rely on this funding, including in my electorate with the closure of the Academy in Wangaratta. The Academy was set up in 2017 by Richmond legend Alex Rance with the intention of supporting alternative learning pathways for years 11 and 12 students. This program gives students VCE vocational major qualifications as well as certificate III in sport and recreation. The contextual learning approach allows the Academy the opportunity to reach students who may otherwise be disengaged with school.

Due to the recent decision by GOTAFE many students, staff and families have been left in the lurch, with the program closing at the end of the year. This means that year 11 students have been caught out and have no solid pathway forward next year. This could have detrimental impacts on them and disengage them from education altogether. Parents with students who were already enrolled for 2024 now have to find new programs. The Academy has been a great initiative to give young guys and girls who are passionate about AFL and sports but are not always the most academic the chance to excel and pursue a career that they are passionate about. In regional Victoria there are fewer pathways for students outside of the traditional education system, and even then the offerings are slimmer when compared to metro schools. I request the minister to ensure the future of the Academy and other RTOs that rely on this funding and support.