Training courses in aged care, disability care and childhood education and care will be re-introduced at metropolitan TAFE SA campuses, providing immediate opportunity for more South Australians seeking employment or upskilling.
Under the previous government in 2020 TAFE SA stopped offering subsidised early childhood education and care, aged care and disability courses in metropolitan campuses. This move was described as ‘fraught with danger’ at the time.
Funding for the care sector courses has been reinstated within weeks of the election of the Malinauskas Labor Government. These courses will re-open to students for the second semester this year.
It comes as a further list of courses planned to be cut from TAFE SA by the former government is revealed.
TAFE SA was advised by the previous Liberal government in February 2022 of a further 14 courses to be removed. This is on top of the 20 courses cut from TAFE SA in 2021.
Courses planned to be removed by the previous Liberal government included dental assisting, health administration, food processing, building & construction and education support. These further cuts will not proceed.
Quotes
Attributed to Premier Peter Malinauskas
The return of these care sector courses to metropolitan TAFE SA delivery will give greater access to training and build on the existing range of training market opportunities.
As we continue to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, we must increase the availability of training to develop the skills our community will need for the future.
The demand for skilled workers in the aged care and disability care sectors has increased considerably recently and is projected to be in-demand going forward.
Increasing opportunities to undertake training will go a long way to alleviate skill shortages in these high-demand sectors.
Attributed to Minister for Education, Training and Skills Blair Boyer
We made a commitment to re-introduce these courses at TAFE SA and we are delivering on that promise.
This contrasts with the hidden list of cuts proposed by the former Liberal government. Under the Liberals TAFE SA was seen as the provider of last resort.
The Malinauskas Labor Government will ensure TAFE plays a significant role in addressing our skills shortages and are working with TAFE SA to ensure these courses continue to be offered by TAFE SA.
Quotes attributed to TAFE SA director of health, community and foundation skills Karren Raper
TAFE SA staff and stakeholders have welcomed the opportunity to reintroduce these courses for metropolitan delivery and I know TAFE staff are particularly thrilled to expand delivery opportunities in these in-demand industries.
I and all TAFE staff are excited with the new government’s agenda and look forward to delivering on our vision for VET in South Australia.
