TAFE sector inquiry can restore strength

THE external, half million dollar audit by Hobart based WLF Accounting and Advisory into TasTAFE will make public that all is not well at TAFE in Tasmania. Although we don’t know what exactly will be found, we can guess it will clearly demonstrate significant systemic failings in accountability, business systems and people.

The AEU looks forward to working with the Government and TasTAFE management to restore the organisation to its former glory, to an organisation that the public of Tasmania can be proud of and that is recognised nationally as a leader in the VET sector.

The AEU TAFE Division have provided the acting CEO with over 30 issues or concerns we know about, in the hope TasTAFE can become what it needs to be. Many of our members have incredible knowledge, skills and relationships with industry and would like to use these in rebuilding TasTAFE.

Ignoring this skill base will undoubtedly retard the rebuilding process and once again push us where we currently find ourselves. Recent past experience demonstrates this starkly! It is this very lack of respect that has got us to this current position in the first place.

Education and training is and should a humanistic endeavour. The nationwide billion dollar rorting of the VET sector by private RTOs should tell everyone that governments need to ensure egocentric people are not allowed to be staff at a public provider. Self-interest has no place in the public service and the WLF audit will no doubt highlight this clearly.

As Michael Fullan once said, “Note that trustworthiness goes beyond integrity to include real competence as well. You have to be true to your word, but also very good at what you do.”