Tasmania's skills shortage is well documented and TasTAFE should be playing a leading role in trying to turn that around - training up needed plumbers, nurses, aged care and childcare staff and other workers.

Yet all we seem to hear at the moment about the vocational education provider is negative experiences linked with staff shortages and course disruptions.

These are experiences students should not have to go through when they are trying to upskill to gain employment. It doesn't make TasTAFE an attractive avenue at all. It should be the exact opposite. It should be an institution people can to turn to for hope of a future. A solid education system is key to any economy and the state government is investing 80 per cent of the Tasmanian training budget to TasTAFE. It has also implemented key changes to the system, such as extending high school years to 11 and 12.

However, the Australian Education Union pointed out this year the federal government has cut TAFE funding by more than 15 per cent between 2007 and 2016. Together with the state government last week slashing $10 million out of its budget and TasTAFE all over the shop, the good work appears to be counter-intuitive. It is imperative that high schools, TasTAFE and the University of Tasmania are all in sync, and that plans for the future are open and transparent.

Communication and solid action is key.

While TasTAFE denies it is in crisis, evidence suggests there is work to be done.

The only reason we have for the move of a facility the union says is "ageing" is that "TasTAFE has decided to consolidate its operations ... and invest in upgrading facilities and equipment at Alanvale". How much will this cost? Why is this needed? Will more qualified teachers be employed? Will students continue to be left waiting for courses? How will the move tie in with UTAS' plans? It's time to take this form of education seriously.