Youth Forum hears more support for TAFE is needed to cut youth unemployment

Government cuts to TAFEs are making it harder for young people to find decent jobs, the Australian Education Union will tell a youth forum in Canberra today.

The AEU’s Federal TAFE Secretary Pat Forward said youth unemployment was a growing problem and Australia had a responsibility to properly train young people.

“It is not enough to simply lecture young people that they must “earn or learn”. We need to provide the training they need to embark on careers, including proper funding for TAFEs,” Ms Forward said.

“Today is National TAFE Day but the sector is under attack. Combined government recurrent funding to TAFE and the Vocational Education and Training sectors has dropped by 26 per cent nationally between 2003 and 2012.

“Removing support for young people, and cutting funding for education is not the solution to rising youth unemployment.”

Today’s “Where to now for young people in Australia?” forum at Canberra Institute of Technology is jointly sponsored by the Australian Council of Trade Unions, Australian Education Union, Australian Manufacturing Workers Union and Adult Learning Australia.

“This forum brings together speakers from politics, trade unions, TAFE and community organisations to assess the impact of the Abbott Government’s Budget on the young, and the flow on effects to the broader Australian economy and society,” Ms Forward said.

“This Budget is particularly tough on young Australians, with a six month wait for the Newstart allowance and cuts to higher education funding.”

“State and Federal Governments are underfunding TAFEs and engaging in a privatisation agenda that will significantly impact on young people by reducing opportunities and quality of vocational education.

“TAFEs educate over one million Australians each year – 550,000 of them aged between 15 and 24.

“They are vital to giving young people meaningful training and starting them in their careers. They are particularly important in regional areas which often have high rates of youth unemployment.

“One-in-five TAFE students are undertaking apprenticeships, providing practical training and linking young people with workplaces. TAFEs also allow young people a chance to further their education at universities.”

Media Contact: Ben Ruse 0437 971 291