SUPPLEMENT TO THE AEU NEWS • JUNE 2015

A E U h e a d o f f i c e 1 1 2 T r e n e r r y C r e s c e n t , A b b o t s f o r d 3 0 6 7 T e l : 0 3 9 4 1 7 2 8 2 2 F a x : 1 3 0 0 6 5 8 0 7 8 W e b : w w w . a e u v i c . a s n . a u

TAFENEWSLETTER

Following the removal of the Napthine Coalition Government in 2014, the incoming Andrews

Government moved quickly to act on its promises to stop the destruction of the public TAFE system and start the process to support and rebuild our TAFEs.

The new government released a $320 million rescue fund for TAFEs. That includes $20 million targeted to halt staff redundancies and course closures; $100 million for capital expenditure and $50 million per year over the next four years to support the financial viability of TAFEs. An additional $50 million was also allocated for TAFEs to develop links and programs with local employers in areas with employment growth.

This support has meant that our public TAFEs can step back from the edge of a precipice, however there is still a great deal of urgent work to be done if a strong TAFE system is to be re-established.

The AEU, TAFE members and the general community are acutely aware of the damage done to our TAFE system under the previous government. This is continuing under the current Victorian Training Guarantee (VTG) policy.

To rebuild the capacity of TAFE and to return it to its place as a world-class, high-quality vocational education and training system will require the commit-ment of effort and resources from the government. That will need to happen over a long period of time, and cannot be achieved across a single budget – however, it’s a step in the right direction.

A myopic focus on profit and competition will not deliver us a high-quality or relevant education and training sector. The policy settings that underpin and

sustain the VET sector in Victoria must be rewritten. The current policies have failed and have undermined the standing of vocational education and training.

Even with a government totally committed to fully fund, resource and support TAFE in Victoria, we need a long-term vision and plan for repairing the damage. Any such plan will have to be grouped into short, medium and long-term goals.

Short term: Stabilising the damageThe central issue facing TAFE is funding. The government must adjust the funding arrangements for education and training and ensure that the costs for TAFE are reflected in the government subsidies paid. The government must also act immediately to dedicate 70% of the total education and training budget to the public TAFE system and limit the amount of monies made available for ‘contestability’ to 30%.

Medium term: Building capacityIn just four years, around 3000 teachers have left the TAFE system through redundancies and/or despair. If each of those teachers had just five years’ experience then we have lost 15,000 years of experience from our TAFEs. We need to recruit, develop and qualify a new TAFE teaching workforce.

Long term: A 10-year-planThe government needs to commit to a 10-year-plan to rebuild the capacity, capability and credibility of the public TAFE system, and the VET system more generally. We must ensure quality at the outset, not

rely on regulation to mop up any fallout under a contestable system.

For genuine reform to occur, there needs to be consensus and understanding within government that:

• ThecorebusinessofTAFEiseducationandtraining

• TAFEteachinghasawell-established,provenand unique pedagogy that must be defended and promoted

• Qualityeducationandtrainingisundertakenbyqualified teachers

• Teachersdeserveindustrialagreementsthatprescribe professional terms and conditions

• Assessmentpackagesundermineeducationandlearning in VET and there needs to be a funda-mental rethink of the role of curriculum and education in vocational education and training.

The Andrews Government has shown that it values TAFE and understands that a strong TAFE system is critical to the operation of a credible and successful VET system. This vote of confidence has already seen some institutes starting to return to the use of and identification with the TAFE brand. �

Positive moves afoot for TAFEGreg Barclay vice president TAFE and adult provision sector

The state budget and VET Funding Review represent a great step forward for TAFE – but we’re not out of the woods yet.

www.aeuvic.asn.au 32 TAFE newsletter | June 2015

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AEU PREFERRED PROVIDERS

APPOINTMENTS (03) 9820 8088Retirement Victoria is the AEU’s preferred provider of financial and retirement planning services to members.

Retirement Victoria Pty Ltd (ABN 11 132 109 114) is a corporate authorised representative of Millennium3 Financial Services Pty Ltd AFSL 244252

Throughout 2014, the AEU campaigned strongly for an open public review into the impact of

‘contestability’ in vocational education and training on the public TAFE system. The Labor Party committed to the establishment of such a review should it be elected.

On the announcement of the VET Funding Review, the AEU set up an online action through the TAFE4ALL website and asked members to put in a submission outlining why they cared about TAFE. Over 700 submissions were received from community members and educators across all sectors. It was a truly fantastic result, clearly demonstrating how much TAFE means to so many Victorians.

The interim recommendations of the Review are due to be released in the next three weeks, with the full report to be available this coming September. The AEU expects that the interim report will provide more opportunities for the government to introduce additional positive changes.

AEU’s submission to the Funding Review recommended: 1. That there is a formal role for public VET

providers within the Premier’s Jobs and Invest-ment Panel or other Victorian bodies convened for industry and jobs planning.

2. That the amount of State Government VET funding available on a contestable basis be capped at no more than 30% of total funding, with the remainder quarantined for public provision through TAFEs.

3. That full service provider roles and community service obligations for VET providers are required and defined by legislation.

4. That funding for TAFE institutes’ full service provider role (including community service obligations) is fully restored.

5. That the use of third-parties by RTOs for the provision of government-subsidised education and training be abolished.

6. That the use of education and training brokers and aggressive marketing techniques including inducements, cold calling and canvassing be abolished.

7. That minimum face-to-face contact hour require-ments are specified and enforced in Australian QualificationFramework(AQF)educationandtraining courses and units. Where external or mixed delivery is proven to be educationally viable, subsidy rates should reflect reduced delivery costs.

8. That the minimum teacher education qualifica-tion levels for VET teachers are raised and that regulatory oversight of the awarding of those qualifications is strengthened. The minimum standardshouldbeattheAQFLevel5,withaphased introduction to a degree level over five years. Vocational qualifications must be at least

one level above those being taught, in most instances, and there must be a minimum of four years’ vocational experience prior to commencing teaching.

9. Changes to hourly VET subsidy rates need to be foreshadowed with an adequate lead-in time. Funding rates for students need to be maintained at the level that applied at the time of enrolment until the completion of the relevant qualification.

The AEU believes that as a matter of urgency the government needs to act on the following recommendations immediately: Recommendation 2: That the amount of State Government VET funding available on a contest-able basis be capped at no more than 30% of total funding, with the remainder quarantined for public provision through TAFEs.

Recommendation 5: That the use of third-parties by RTOs for the provision of government-subsidised education and training be abolished.

Recommendation 7: That minimum face-to-face contact hour requirements are specified and enforcedinAustralianQualificationFramework(AQF)education and training courses and units. Where external or mixed delivery is proven to be educa-tionally viable, subsidy rates should reflect reduced delivery costs.

Quickactiononthesethreeareaswillhelptostabilise the public TAFE system and allow for a longer-term investment in the capacity and capability of the public TAFEs in Victoria.

The AEU’s submission to the VET Funding Review can be read in full here: http://tafe4all.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/AEU-Submission-VET-Funding-Review-April-2015.pdf. �

VET Funding Review attracts hundreds of submissionsDespite its tight deadline, the Government’s review into VET funding received over 700 submissions – the bulk of them sent via TAFE4ALL. Following the change of government in November

2014, the AEU and TAFE teachers across the state looked to the new government to support the AEU’s position to negotiate a new enterprise agreement for TAFE teachers – one which maintained the existing terms and conditions of the Multi-Busi-ness Agreement for TAFE teachers across Victoria.

AEU applauds the new government’s commitment to supporting all existing entitlements and condi-tions in current agreements (including those that the previous Coalition government wished to remove).

The AEU state-wide TAFE committee has main-tained its position in support of the negotiation of an agreement that covers all TAFE teachers across Victoria, irrespective of what department or what TAFE institute they work in.

Unfortunately, some TAFEs still maintain that they do not want to be part of a state-wide agreement, and are instead pushing for increased teacher workloads and the removal of other conditions contained in a single agreement. This is despite the fact that the AEU has been highlighting the need for a united TAFE system if we are to fight back against the private for-profit providers.

The AEU is aware that members across the state are becoming justifiably frustrated with the lack of progress in finalising agreements at their TAFEs. At three institutes (Box Hill, Swinburne and Federation Training), negotiations have not even commenced.

At TAFES where protected industrial action is currently in place, over the next few weeks the AEU

will be asking members if they wish to increase those work bans to place greater pressure on TAFE Boards to finalise these negotiations.

At those TAFEs where management continues to pursue increases in workloads and attacks on conditions, the AEU will be preparing to run ballots with members to vote on taking protected industrial action.

There have, however, been some positive negotia-tions recently. A growing number of TAFEs have been willing to negotiate to maintain all the existing terms and conditions and increase salaries. A number have also been willing to discuss the possibility of a Multi-Employer Agreement to cover TAFE teachers at multiple TAFEs.

It is a credit to all our local AEU TAFE negotia-tors that they have been able to shift many TAFE management positions away from increasing teaching hours and reducing conditions (an approach that was supported by the previous government).

In 2012, TAFE teachers overwhelmingly supported the push to: 1. Save as many TAFE teaching jobs as possible

2. Maintain the existing terms and conditions and

3. Increase wages.

We are aiming to conclude the current round of negotiations as soon as we can and ensure that we do not agree to any reductions in our terms and conditions in doing so. �

Enterprise Agreement Negotiations

VU TAFE teachers vote ‘Yes’ to new EBAFollowing more than 12 months of negotia-

tions at Victoria University, the AEU and VU management finalised the negotiations and came to an ‘in principle’ agreement on wages and conditions.

The agreement at VU will see the maintenance of all current terms and conditions with a salary increase of 2.5%.

Following the endorsement of the ‘in principle’ position by the statewide AEU TAFE Committee and endorsement by AEU TAFE members at VU, all TAFE teachers at VU participated in an open ballot to vote ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ to accept or reject the negotiated agreement.

VU TAFE teachers have voted YES!Congratulations to all AEU members at VU and

especially to the local representatives who have been part of these drawn-out negotiations. �

We’re moving in 2016Gillian Robertson, AEU branch secretary

LATE last year, AEU Branch Council voted to commence the move from our current building to number 126 Trenerry

Crescent, Abbotsford — right next door. We are excited about the opportunity to create bigger and better meeting and training facilities for AEU members. Although loved by

members and employees for its history, our current heritage-listed building at 112 Trenerry has significant limitations.

During the past six weeks, our architects carried out a series of consul-tations with AEU councillors and employees to gather information for the refurbishment and fit-out. These sessions helped Artillery to identify the functional requirements for each department as well as the various different activities and work styles. They also provided AEU staff with the opportunity to test drive, understand, challenge and advocate for design opportunities within the new office.

Based on the feedback provided, the project team understands that natural light, a natural palette of materials, greenery and open and spacious environ-ments are important to AEU councillors and employees. It also highlighted the need for high-quality acoustics, non-disruptive flexible work and meeting spaces, and sustainable design.

Running concurrently with the consultation process, building specialists including engineers, surveyors and storage consultants are carrying out assessments on the condition of the existing building to ensure the refurbish-ment suits the new office layout.

An asbestos audit has also been conducted in the new premises and we are pleased to report that the new building is asbestos-free. All data gathered to date will form the foundation for developing the next phase of the project design development. Information will continue to be provided to members as the shape of the new AEU office continues to evolve. �

Women in TAFE forumsElaine Gillespie Deputy Vice President, TAFE and Adult Provision Sector

Women still continue to be underrepresented in TAFE AEU sub-branches and on the

TAFE state-wide Committee. In an initiative to address some of the issues that contribute to this underrepresentation, the AEU is planning to hold Women in TAFE forums at five TAFEs over the next six months. These will take place at Chisholm, Holmesglen, Box Hill, Swinburne and Victoria University.

Once the details have been finalised, we will send further information to women members at those TAFEs.

If you wish to be part of these forums, please contact Elaine.Gillespie@aeuvic.asn.au �

4 TAFE newsletter | June 2015

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TAFE governance consultations

The AEU has been invited to participate in consultations to look at the reintroduction

of staff and student representatives on TAFE Boards and dual sector university Councils.

The consultations will be looking at issues related to:

• Thenumberofstaffandstudentrepresentatives to be on the Boards and Councils

• ThelengthoftheirtermsontheBoardsand Councils

• Theprocessfortheirelection/selectiontothe positions.

The consultations are only in the preliminary stages, with a view to having staff and student representatives in place in 2016.

We will continue to provide updates on the consultations as they progress. �

ACTU endorses cap on contestability

The recent ACTU Congress in Melbourne unanimously passed a resolution to push for a

cap on contestability in VET of 30%. The specific section of the policy states:

Government policies to increase public funding for private providers of VET have diverted scarce public funds and resources from the sector into the pockets of individuals, and reduced quality of education and trust in the VET system. In response, Congress demands that govern-ments guarantee funding and resources to TAFE institutes, improve regulation of private providers, and cap the amount of public funding allocated contestability. Our position is that public funding should not be available to for-profit training providers at all – as is the case with respect to school funding – but as a starting point, Congress calls for a 30% cap on the amount of funding allocated contestability.

It was fantastic to have the overwhelming support of so many other unions for our campaign to limit the use of competition policy in VET which has undermined TAFE across the nation. �

Talking TAFE across AustraliaAEU delegates to the national TAFE AGM gained a big-picture view on vocational education in Australia.

The Victorian Branch of the AEU sent a delegation of representatives to the National TAFE Annual

General Meeting, which ran from April 17–19.The meeting provides a national forum for TAFE

teachers to come together to discuss common issues and develop strategies to work collectively at the national level to defend the public TAFE system in all states and territories.

For the first time in many years, the Victorian delegation was able to talk about funding and support being directed towards the public TAFEs in Victoria.

Bruce Mackenzie, who is heading up the current VET Review, said with existing providers meeting demand, there was no need for the contestable market that has led to massive over-training and budget blow-outs.

John Kaye from the NSW Greens identified the introduction of competency-based training as the foundation for a system that could be easily opened up to competition, privatised and downgraded in quality.

Gerard Brody, from the Consumer Action Law Centre detailed some appalling practices from private RTOs concerning recruiting and poor-quality training

provision. While AEU Federal TAFE secretary Pat Forward argued that if the current agenda doesn’t stop, the ideals that underpin TAFE are at risk of being lost.

Sue Kirby was among the TAFE delegates representing AEU Victoria. “Without exception, all those who spoke on the TAFE ‘reforms’ presented irrefutable information concerning the detrimental effect of the contestable market on TAFE,” she said. “The cracks in the contestable model are becoming too big to ignore.”

“I left the meeting feeling that reinvestment in TAFE is the only way forward.”

Another delegate, Rachel Wilson, observed that: “Narrowly defining skills for the workplace that can be bought and sold set the scene for just about anyone to deliver vocational training cheaply. While aware of the limitations of competency-based training, I hadn’t really considered its natural links with neoliberal ideology, and the practical implications that have flowed from this.”

AEU member Grahame Carey added: “I take away with me the key words ‘community obligation’. I now use this terminology when I am talking to others about TAFE and private providers.” �

Left to right: Craig Jones, Greg Barclay, Grahame Carey, Elaine Gillespie, Stephen North, Sue Kirby and Rachel Wilson.