The Times Australia
The Times News

.
The Times Real Estate

.

Albanese offers more university places and free TAFE spots

  • Written by Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra



Anthony Albanese on Sunday will unveil a plan for a Labor government to deliver up to 20,000 extra university places over 2022-23 and fund 465,000 free TAFE places, including 45,000 new ones.

The $1.2 billion “Future Made in Australia Skills Plan” will be directed at giving support in areas of skills shortages.

In his second major policy announcement in two days – the climate plan was announced on Friday – Albanese is both targeting the hard-hit university sector and playing to his central campaign themes of creating jobs and addressing skills.

The university initiative will cost $481.7 million over the forward estimates.

Labor says the free TAFE places will focus on areas suffering critical skills gaps.

It says the policy would help rebuild industries hardest hit by the pandemic, such as hospitality and tourism as well as meet current and future demand in occupations such as child care, aged care, disability care, nursing and community services.

It would provide opportunities for school leavers, people wanting to retrain, and unpaid carers seeking to get back into the workforce.

A $50 million TAFE technology fund would improve IT facilities, workshops, laboratories and tele-health simulators, providing infrastructure for students’ needs.

The cost of the TAFE places is $621 million over the forward estimates, which includes the $50 million for capital works fund.

The package includes about $100 million already announced to support 10,000 New Energy Apprenticeships.

The university sector has been particularly hard hit by the pandemic, with tens of thousands of job losses. The closed border cut off the flow of international students – which were vital to many universities’ finances – and public universities were not included in JobKeeper.

Labor says that currently there are not enough university places, yet Australia faces shortages of doctors, engineers, teachers, pharmacists and IT experts.

Read more: View from The Hill: Albanese's 43% emissions reduction target by 2030 has some political cover[1]

It says this year the offer rate fell to its lowest level in years, and more than 50,000 applicants missed out.

Extra funding would be allocated to universities based on

  • their ability to offer more places in areas of national priority and skills shortages, such as clean energy, advanced manufacturing, health and education

  • their efforts to target under-represented students – those who are the first in their family to go to university, Indigenous students, and people in regional, remote and outer-suburban areas

  • student demand.

Labor says Australia should be investing in opportunities for Australians to study and raise their skills rather than relying solely on migration to fill the skills gap.

It says one in four businesses are hit by critical skills shortages. Meanwhile nearly two million Australians are unemployed or under-employed.

Albanese will address a rally in western Sydney on Sunday.

Read more https://theconversation.com/albanese-offers-more-university-places-and-free-tafe-spots-173215

The Times Features

Brisbane Water Bill Savings: Practical Tips to Reduce Costs

Brisbane residents have been feeling the pinch as water costs continue to climb. With increasing prices, it's no wonder many households are searching for ways to ease the burde...

Exploring Hybrid Heating Systems for Modern Homes

Consequently, energy efficiency as well as sustainability are two major considerations prevalent in the current market for homeowners and businesses alike. Hence, integrated heat...

Are Dental Implants Right for You? Here’s What to Think About

Dental implants are now among the top solutions for those seeking to replace and improve their teeth. But are dental implants suitable for you? Here you will find out more about ...

Sunglasses don’t just look good – they’re good for you too. Here’s how to choose the right pair

Australians are exposed to some of the highest levels[1] of solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation in the world. While we tend to focus on avoiding UV damage to our skin, it’s impor...

How to Style the Pantone Color of the Year 2025 - Mocha Mousse

The Pantone Color of the Year never fails to set the tone for the coming year's design, fashion, and lifestyle trends. For 2025, Pantone has unveiled “Mocha Mousse,” a rich a...

How the Aussie summer has a profound effect on 'Climate Cravings’

Weather whiplash describes the rollercoaster-like shifts in weather we’ve experienced this summer —a blazing hot day one moment, followed by an unexpectedly chilly or rainy tur...

Times Magazine

Treats and Tails: The Ultimate Dog Treats Suited For Your Dogs

Dogs have long been adored pets, and they play a significant role in the lives of many families. One of the delights of owning a dog, as every dog owner knows, is the ability to show them love and affection via treats and other types of positive re...

Utilize Rip Rap Seawall for Shoreline Protection

A Rip Rap seawall is a type of coastal engineering structure that protects shorelines from wave erosion, which is composed of large stones or boulders placed in an interlocking pattern along the shoreline. The design of the seawall is to absorb and d...

Understanding Different Types of Child Care

In New South Wales, Australia, parents are faced with a myriad of choices when it comes to child care. From long daycare centres to family daycares, preschools, and occasional care services, each option offers its own set of benefits and considerat...

Pros and Cons of Using A Microphone with Noise Cancellation

Different types of microphones have different applications. Some are better for live performances, while others are better for recording. But what if you need a microphone that can do both? The best option, in this case, would be a microphone wit...

High-Quality Fabrics for Workwear

For anyone looking for high-quality fabrics for workwear, it is important to consider the functionality and comfort of the fabric when making a selection. It is essential to choose fabrics that are both durable and comfortable in order to ensure ...

The perfect place: how to properly use a jewellery box

There is nothing worse than going to wear one of our favourite pieces only to realise it has depreciated with time. It’s a sad disappointment to see special pieces suffer with time, and for this reason many people invest in high quality jewellery...

LayBy Shopping