The future direction of Burdekin TAFE was a central point of discussion this week when interested parties met to open a conversation about a 10-year TAFE infrastructure Strategy.
Topics of conversation included the challenges currently existing within the campus facilities, opportunities for improvement, how the facilities meet the needs of local industry and what impact TAFE has on the local community.
The meeting, however, was only attended by two local business representatives and neither of the Chamber of Commerce were invited, a situation that frustrated Member for Burdekin, Dale Last MP.
“The government has tasked a Brisbane-based consultancy firm with identifying the community’s priorities when it comes to TAFE, but the community hasn’t been invited,” he said.
“The invite list was provided by a Minister’s office and that should have alarm bells ringing in the community.”
Mr Last asserts that the Home Hill Chamber of Commerce has been calling for better utilisation of the facility for the benefit of students and the community.
“The fact that the local Chamber of Commerce wasn’t invited is an absolute insult,” he said.
“The meeting was on Wednesday and it was only Monday afternoon that I got the chance to nominate some additional attendees. I was told that any additional invitees would have to be approved by the Minister’s office, making it virtually impossible.”
Mr Last said the restricted invite list and short notice meant the opportunities to revitalise the facility would almost undoubtedly be missed despite the best efforts of attendees.
“I know that the people who do attend will do their best, but you can’t honestly expect such a small group of representatives to do this alone,” he said.
“What you need is a broad range of input from businesses, representative groups, teachers, past students, and potential students.
“I’m calling on the Minister to schedule additional face to face consultation and to allow people and groups to nominate to attend so that we get the best outcome.
“If the Minister refuses to do that we know that the decisions have already been made and that the consultation process is nothing but a smoke screen.”
Burdekin TAFE offers a range of engineering courses specialising in mechanical trades, fitting and turning, boiler-making, and metal fabrication. Photo supplied
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