Illawarra Business Chamber executive director Adam Zarth is all too aware of the 'serious skills shortage for key trades across the region'.
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That's why he welcomes the NSW Government's review into the TAFE system.
"I welcome the government's focus on creating a more agile TAFE," he said.
"As our largest training provider in a contestable market, it is right that TAFE should be adaptive and evolve to the existing and future needs of the workforce."
David Gonski and Professor Peter Shergold are leading the review which will consider a HECS-style program for TAFE students.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the review will also consider greater industry involvement in co-designing courses and making sure courses are as up-to-date as possible.
Ms Berejiklian has ruled out privatising TAFE but foreshadowed the private sector playing a bigger role in delivering courses.
Mr Zarth welcomed this move.
"My members across the construction, aged care, hospitality and disability sectors in particular are crying out for skilled workers, and would welcome a closer relationship with an industry-focused TAFE," he said..
"Vocational training should not be the poor cousin or the option of last resort, so as a community we share a responsibility to adjust our attitudes to this vital pathway for young people coming out of school."
The NSW Teachers Federation president Angelo Gavrielatos though felt the review needed to restore funding and courses slashed by state and federal governments over the years.
"TAFE budgets have been slashed resulting in the loss of thousands of jobs and courses," Mr Gavrielatos said.
"The race to introduce private providers has been a disaster for students who now face high fees and fewer opportunities to study the full range of courses at their local TAFE.
"We have a serious skills shortage for key trades which can only be addressed by reinvesting and reinvigorating TAFE so we can train tradespeople of the future.
"Returning TAFE to being the preeminent provider of Vocational Education and Training is integral to the state's future productivity and prosperity."
Mr Gavrielatos also argued against instituting a HECS-style fee system, saying TAFE should be free to encourage poor and disadvantaged students to get the training they need to secure good, well-paying jobs.
Ms Berejiklian said TAFE NSW was the largest VET provider in the country, with a budget of $1.85 billion in 2019/20.
The Review will report to the NSW Government by July 2020.