EBA negotiations for TasTAFE were due to start at the end of March, but with the recent government announcement that TasTAFE would become a government business enterprise, stakeholders are already making their intentions clear.
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This week Premier Peter Gutwein released the final report from the Premier's Economic and Social Recovery Advisory Council, which outlined the key reforms to TasTAFE and many other industries.
TasTAFE chief executive officer Grant Dreher said the school and board strongly supported the move to a government business.
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"It is a positive and important step forward in the evolution of TasTAFE," he said.
"We will be working with government to prioritise the future needs of TasTAFE as it evolves from what is already a high-quality training provider to a contemporary, responsive, and flexible TAFE that is closely aligned to the industries it serves."
A government spokesperson said the government had made it clear that TasTAFE was in a better position now than ever before.
"We will continue to invest heavily in it as our public training provider," the spokesperson said.
"As recommended by PESRAC, now is the right time to move TasTAFE to the next stage of their evolution."
However, Australian Education Union state president Brian Wightman previously lashed at the changes and expressed disappointment in the content of the proposal and how it was delivered.
Mr Wightman said the changes were difficult to comprehend, particularly in light of the upcoming EBA negotiations, which are due by the end of the month.
On Friday, he delivered a letter to TasTAFE chief executive Grant Dreher demanding an immediate return to the bargaining table.
A government spokesperson said the minister's office briefed the AEU on Tuesday in relation to TasTAFE.
"Since then the CEO of TasTAFE has met with the AEU and Brian Wightman has been invited to meet with the minister to discuss the union's concerns and enable the minister to provide some reassurances in relation to the government's intentions.
"We look forward to these discussions and we will not pre-empt the outcome of those."
When asked whether TasTAFE would continue to see about 80 per cent of the skills budget from the state government, a direct answer was not given.
However, the spokesperson said the government were investing $41.8 million in new facilities.
Dana Anderson
On a Friday night you may see me at the theatre, a festival, an exhibition, or in the corner of one of my favourite establishments reading a novel. So, it makes sense I am the arts and what's on reporter for The Examiner. To contact me about a story please send an email to dana.anderson@examiner.com.au
On a Friday night you may see me at the theatre, a festival, an exhibition, or in the corner of one of my favourite establishments reading a novel. So, it makes sense I am the arts and what's on reporter for The Examiner. To contact me about a story please send an email to dana.anderson@examiner.com.au
Caitlin Jarvis
I have worked in the Tasmanian digital/print media for 11 years, spanning two newsrooms. I have developed a keen interest in agricultural, development and education news, as well as issues-based long-form journalism. Contact me at caitlin.jarvis@examiner.com.au
I have worked in the Tasmanian digital/print media for 11 years, spanning two newsrooms. I have developed a keen interest in agricultural, development and education news, as well as issues-based long-form journalism. Contact me at caitlin.jarvis@examiner.com.au
