The NSW Teachers Federation has slammed expected job cuts to Taree TAFE, with at least three permanent teaching and support staff positions under threat.
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The federation says the NSW Government’s Smart and Skilled policy will have a negative impact on regional and rural TAFE colleges.
An Auditor’s General Report on Industry in December last year stated that completion rates for trainees and apprentices is declining and course completion rates for trainees and apprentices within the expected time frame has dropped by three per cent in the space of 12 months in NSW.
Lexie Stephens was a full time business administration teacher at Taree TAFE for 30 years.
Since retiring last August her position has still not been filled.
"Teachers are concerned about their future in the area and whether they are going to be able to maintain their jobs,” Mrs Stephens said.
"When I first came to Taree and took up a teaching position, there were actually six full time teachers at this campus and that's gradually been reduced as people retired and left the campus.”
She reiterated the need for consistent funding and full time teaching positions.
Dr David Keegan said the move will affect the economic development of the region. Dr Keegan is a councillor on MidCoast Council who lead a Labor group at the 2017 election.
"This area used to be the third largest engineering manufacturing centre in NSW outside of Woolongong and Newcastle.
"We've gone backwards and backwards over the last few years.
"If you want to resurrect this town's employment base, we need highly skilled workforce,” Dr Keegan said.
Dr Keegan added that he is determined to work with MidCoast Council to lobby the State Government to stop job cuts.
“Young people are leaving town to finish training and find employment,” he said.
"If we don't have TAFE, we lose that and those kids.”
Shadow Skills Minister Prue Car visited Taree as part of a regional tour to discuss potential further cuts to TAFE staff.
She said automotive teachers are under threat at Taree TAFE, which will create a skill shortage across the region.
“Young people are learning key trades like automotive trades have an opportunity in places like Taree to work locally in the general region and if we lose key teachers in these areas, I certainly fear for the future of those young people getting employment in the local area,” Ms Car said.
Member for Myall Lakes Stephen Bromhead has responded to the claims and said the State Government is adapting TAFE to target in-demand qualification areas.
“We are modernising TAFE for the future with new courses and new online learning platforms and digital hubs”
“The North Coast is seeing a enrolment growth in key skill areas with an increase in trade qualifications, which are not only vital to the State’s economy, but where all the jobs are being created.”
