Mixed Reactions To Tafe Hecs Scheme Proposal

Illawarra Mercury

Monday March 27, 2006

By COURTNEY TRENWITH

ILLAWARRA TAFE has backed a plan for a HECS-style system for vocational education, but students claim it will lead to increased fees.

TAFE Directors Australia (TDA) has begun talks with the Federal Government to negotiate a system where TAFE students can defer payment of their fees until they are working.

TAFE NSW Illawarra Institute director Barry Peddle, who is also chairman of the TDA, said the plan would put TAFE on an equal footing with universities.

"We want to have a debate with government about some model that provides for greater equity in the way that students in TAFE are dealt with compared to university (students)," Mr Peddle said.

"We want governments to look at ways so that whatever fees TAFE students are charged it doesn't create an impediment for them to take a TAFE course."

Mr Peddle said the TDA had had some preliminary discussions with the Federal Government and the group intended to hold consultative talks with stakeholders.

But students and teachers have already expressed their concern that a TAFE version of HECS (Higher Education Contribution Scheme) would leave the door open to increased fees.

They have restated their campaign for fees to be scrapped altogether, particularly in skill shortage areas.

"If HECS is introduced does that mean that TAFE fees will go up again, then people will be paying off fees for so many years?" TAFE Action Group member Ashleigh Spears said.

"TAFE should be accessible for everybody and it should be free so everybody can get an education."

Mr Peddle said the TDA did not support any deferred payment system that led to increased fees.

The proposal was made after the National Centre for Vocational Education Research showed most of the $4 billion spent by businesses on employee training only covered short accredited courses.

© 2006 Illawarra Mercury

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