A review of the TAFE training system in NSW has been announced by Premier Gladys Berejiklian.
Ms Berejiklian said the Review would be led by David Gonski and Professor Peter Shergold and would look at opportunities to improve the current system.
“We want students to think of TAFE the same way they think of university, as a leading institution for furthering their education and gaining the skills of the future,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“For some new high tech and high-end jobs, TAFE could become a better option for students than university,” she said.
“We need more tradies in existing trades, but we also need to prepare workers in new areas like 3D printing, robotics and other technology industries to provide the jobs of the future in places like the Western Sydney Aerotropolis and the Sydney Tech Hub.”
Ms Berejiklian said the Review would consider initiatives like a HECS-style program for TAFE students and greater industry involvement in co-designing courses.
She said issues to be examined as part of the review would include: Opportunities to resolve current skills shortages to benefit the State’s economy; how TAFE NSW can better work with industry to meet future skills shortages; better integration of secondary, vocational and tertiary learning opportunities; and how findings can be implemented through exemplar projects, such as the Meadowbank Education and Employment Precinct and the Western Sydney Aerotropolis.
The Premier said the Review would report to the Government by July 2020.
