TAFE Meets Parliament 2020

Members of Parliament, senators and executives representing Technical and Further Education (TAFE) from across the country and members of industry convened at Parliament House for the TAFE Meets Parliament event organised by TAFE Directors Australia (TDA).

TDA is the peak national body representing TAFE institutes and university TAFE divisions. Through these events, TDA seeks to increase understanding among parliamentary members as to the critical contribution that Vocational Education and Training (VET) plays in providing the skills for the many day-to-day services society relies upon.

As part of the event at Parliament House, the Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) had the opportunity to showcase its nursing and renewables courses, both key areas of interest to Australians at present, and hence also to our political leadership. CIT students and staff, among them Ken Wilson ACT VET Teacher Trainer of the Year were on hand to share insights on the delivery of the certified Global Wind Organisation (GWO) technical and safety training and how training is delivered in CIT’s simulated hospital environment.

The event featured keynote speaker, James White, who is the ACT VET Apprentice of the Year. James completed a Certificate III in Carpentry (CPC30211) at CIT. "The value of TAFE is the skills and the confidence that it gave me and the road that it's taken me to in project management," Mr White said.

Shadow Minister for Education and Training, the Hon. Tanya Plibersek referring to the complementary contributions that TAFE and University education provide, said the VET sector was "Delivering for individuals and our nation." Assistant Minister for Vocational Education, Training and Apprenticeships the Hon. Steven Irons, also spoke on the importance of the TAFE system to both Australia and student development.

The TAFE Meets Parliament event was a great opportunity for CIT and TAFEs across the country to show members of Parliament the range of training options available through VET and the valuable contribution being made to local communities and the nation.