Training report shows extent of Labor’s TAFE cuts

Shadow Minister for Training Skills Apprenticeships, Steph Ryan

The Victorian Training Market Report 2015 released today confirms the extent of the Andrews Labor Government’s cuts to training.

The report shows that last year:

• Enrolments in government-subsidised training declined by 16 per cent to 463,376;
• The number of students in government-subsidised training declined 15 per cent to 377,831; and
• Traineeship enrolments declined by 32 per cent to 25,914.
The 2014 report was released in March last year, but Minister Steve Herbert delayed releasing the 2015 data.

Comments from Shadow Minister for Training, Skills and Apprenticeships Steph Ryan:

“Daniel Andrews and Steve Herbert promised to ‘rescue’ TAFE, but under their watch funding for training has been cut and enrolments have plummeted.

“After 18 months in office it’s time Steve Herbert takes responsibility and turns these figures around. If he’s not up to the task, Daniel Andrews should step in.

“Youth unemployment is as high as 16 per cent in some areas but Daniel Andrews and Steve Herbert are stopping young people from getting the skills they need to get a job.”

Media contact: Sarah O’Connor 0432 074 888 sarah.oconnor@opposition.vic.gov.au