A national biennial survey of employers released today shows that employers in Queensland are losing confidence in TAFE.
Shadow Minister for Training and Skills Development Fiona Simpson said it was a concern that only 41.6% of employers with apprentices or trainees are choosing TAFE.
“This is a drop of more than 10% since the Palaszczuk Labor Government came to power in 2015,” Ms Simpson said.
“In the last two years alone, confidence in TAFE dropped more than 7%.
“Annastacia Palaszczuk’s plan for TAFE clearly isn’t working.
“Since March 2015 apprenticeship and traineeship completions have fallen by nearly a third (29%) and there are also almost 9000 fewer students in-training under Labor.
“Apprenticeship and traineeship commencements also fell by over 5% since 2018.
“How can employers be confident in TAFE and Annastacia Palaszczuk when TAFE Queensland is set to lose $38 million this year.
“Vocational education and training is in crisis under Annastacia Palaszczuk.
“It’s no wonder Queensland has the highest unemployment rate in the nation and a record number of Queenslanders on the jobless queue.
“Under Labor, Queensland also has the highest long-term unemployment number on record with 46,200 jobseekers.
“Queensland deserves better than the first Premier ever to be found guilty of contempt and a dodgy Treasurer to lead the State.
“Labor has introduced nine new and increased taxes – taxes which are toxic for our economy.
“Only the LNP will get Queensland working, creating more jobs and delivering job security with no new taxes,” Ms Simpson said.
