A Rebecca White Labor Government will give Tasmanians best-practice training to build the workforce of the future, by building a better TAFE system alongside cost-of-living relief to make study more affordable.
A Labor Government will establish a Centre of Excellence for automatic, hydrogen and electric vehicles at the Clarence TAFE campus in Warrane.
The Centre will address the training demand for electric vehicle repair to meet the needs of our future energy system, as well as working with Metro Tasmania to deliver training and employment pathways for mechanics, including electric bus and hydrogen vehicle service and repair.
The Centre will also provide innovation, leadership and best practice delivery of skills training to upskill other TAFEs around the country and will replace the existing facility in Hobart which has reached capacity.
Labor will also expand the Burnie TAFE civil construction workshop to create a Civil Construction Centre for Excellence, and deliver pioneering work in civil construction to be shared nationally with other TAFEs cross the country.
And we will establish a state-of-the-art Computerised Numerical Control Machining Facility to train apprentices and upskill workers at Derwent Park within the TasTAFE Metals and Manufacturing team.
Importantly, a Labor Government will bring TAFE back in to the State Service to deliver better outcomes for students and teachers, provide 20 scholarships for new trades teachers, and fund 10 extra literacy and numeracy staff to deliver foundational skills.
With the cost-of-living crisis acting as a barrier to study, a Labor Government will also increase allowances paid to apprentices when they have to travel for study – with a new meal allowance of $40 a day and an accommodation allowance of $100 per night.
Labor will also create a new Apprentice Tool Allowance to provide up to a $500 rebate to apprentices for the purchase of relevant tools or safety equipment for their on-the-job work, delivering even more cost-of-living relief to apprentices and trainees.
And we will increase childcare subsidies for TAFE students.
It’s time for a better future. A Labor Government will provide cost-of-living relief and develop a strong TAFE to help train the workers of the future.
Josh Willie MLC
Shadow Minister for Education and Early Years