Media Release
Information revealed by the State Opposition shows Education
Minister John-Paul Langbroek and the LNP continue to erode the job
prospects of TAFE students by imposing further hikes in course fees for
2015.
“These hikes are an attack on job-seekers and show there is clearly no bright future for TAFE students under the Newman LNP Government,” said Opposition Leader Annastacia Palaszczuk, referring to a leaked document exposing the LNP Government’s secret plans. (See 3rd Q&A on page 3 of attached PDF)
“The document is a Q&A guide given to staff forced to defend the Newman Government’s slash-and-burn approach to TAFE that has already seen fees for some courses skyrocket,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
“TAFE students are already worried about how they will afford these unaffordable fee hikes let alone those coming in 2015. There have also been numerous sudden course cancellations.
“The truth is many will likely need to ditch their education which means ditching their chances for gaining skills to equip themselves for jobs.
“These fee hikes are the direct responsibility of Mr Langbroek, the same Minister who scrapped the successful Skilling Queenslanders for Work program in 2012 that also helped job seekers gain work. So much for the ‘bright future’ the LNP talks about.”
Shadow Education Minister Yvette D’Ath said fees for some courses were already due to rise by hundreds or thousands of dollars.
“What we’re revealing today are more hidden hikes that Queenslanders will only find out about if they ask the right question at the right time,” Ms D’Ath said.
“The government is claiming the rises affect only new students, but many students are told they must re-enrol which means they are stung by the higher fees.
“This will leave TAFE education as a privilege that only those who can afford it will be able to access. This type of job-focussed education should be for everybody, not just for the rich.”
Ms D’Ath said fees had already increased in many TAFE courses under the Newman Government:
A marketing course previously costing $2,400 recently rose to $6,000.
Literacy and numeracy courses had risen from $140 to $800.
A Certificate 2 course in automotive servicing costing $802 in 2012 was now $7,200 under the LNP.
Ms D’Ath said Mr Langbroek claimed he wanted to support only courses that led to a job but his own government was failing to create jobs.
“We are yet to see any evidence of the plan the LNP said it had to have our state heading towards a 4% jobless rate. Unemployment remains above 6% under the LNP,” she said.
“These hikes are an attack on job-seekers and show there is clearly no bright future for TAFE students under the Newman LNP Government,” said Opposition Leader Annastacia Palaszczuk, referring to a leaked document exposing the LNP Government’s secret plans. (See 3rd Q&A on page 3 of attached PDF)
“The document is a Q&A guide given to staff forced to defend the Newman Government’s slash-and-burn approach to TAFE that has already seen fees for some courses skyrocket,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
“TAFE students are already worried about how they will afford these unaffordable fee hikes let alone those coming in 2015. There have also been numerous sudden course cancellations.
“The truth is many will likely need to ditch their education which means ditching their chances for gaining skills to equip themselves for jobs.
“These fee hikes are the direct responsibility of Mr Langbroek, the same Minister who scrapped the successful Skilling Queenslanders for Work program in 2012 that also helped job seekers gain work. So much for the ‘bright future’ the LNP talks about.”
Shadow Education Minister Yvette D’Ath said fees for some courses were already due to rise by hundreds or thousands of dollars.
“What we’re revealing today are more hidden hikes that Queenslanders will only find out about if they ask the right question at the right time,” Ms D’Ath said.
“The government is claiming the rises affect only new students, but many students are told they must re-enrol which means they are stung by the higher fees.
“This will leave TAFE education as a privilege that only those who can afford it will be able to access. This type of job-focussed education should be for everybody, not just for the rich.”
Ms D’Ath said fees had already increased in many TAFE courses under the Newman Government:
A marketing course previously costing $2,400 recently rose to $6,000.
Literacy and numeracy courses had risen from $140 to $800.
A Certificate 2 course in automotive servicing costing $802 in 2012 was now $7,200 under the LNP.
Ms D’Ath said Mr Langbroek claimed he wanted to support only courses that led to a job but his own government was failing to create jobs.
“We are yet to see any evidence of the plan the LNP said it had to have our state heading towards a 4% jobless rate. Unemployment remains above 6% under the LNP,” she said.
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