The South Australian Government has commissioned another review of TAFE SA “to develop a roadmap for its future.” Work is starting on the review this month.
The review is being overseen by Associate Professor Jennie Rea from Victoria University and supported by an expert advisory group comprising of representatives drawn from industry, the Australian Education Union, TAFE SA Board, Skills SA, VET providers and regional areas.
This is not the first review of TAFE SA in recent times, though. Earlier ones were undertaken through the senate and by the Nous Group. We highlighted these ones in VDC News in 2018. Another Strategic Capability Review of TAFE SA was commissioned by the SA Government in 2018 in response to concerns that were raised about the performance of the organisation following adverse findings from an Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) audit in 2017. It was conducted by Terry Moran and Kim Bannikoff and you can access that review report here. If that’s not enough the Independent Commission Against Corruption commenced an evaluation of the practices, policies and procedures of TAFE SA in April this year!
The latest review chaired by Rea is highlighted in an article in The Adelaide Advertiser. Information about the review can also be found on the South Australian Education Department’s website.
The review process will involve an extensive consultation whereby stakeholders and the community will have the opportunity to provide input into the ‘roadmap for the future’ through a symposium, “targeted roundtables with staff, unions, industry and employer stakeholders, regional communities, the Commissioner for Children and Young People, the Commissioner for Aboriginal Children and Young People, the South Australian Skills Commission, advocacy organisations and TAFE SA students.” It will also involve consultation forums, written submissions and an online survey.
Consultation is expected to start this month with the report finalised by the end of April 2023. Again, we’ll also be monitoring this work for its longer-term implications.