Page 317 - Week 01 - Thursday, 14 February 1991
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increases. It should be remembered that fee concessions have been extended so that access for disadvantaged students is obviously being improved all the time.
There is no doubt that considerable effort is being directed to expanding TAFE's commercial activities and there have been some major successes in this area, including a significant increase in TAFE exports. However, with respect to increasing industry support, at this stage contributions from industry have been slow and at this time, in difficult economic circumstances, that is perhaps understandable. However, it seems that Commonwealth agencies are still to realise their responsibilities as employers in the ACT. The funding agreement mentioned previously ensures that funds raised from industry will be retained by the institute and can be directed towards providing additional places for students. Industry, I believe, will be more encouraged by this arrangement.
Despite the institute's vigorous efforts outlined, these funds are growing more slowly than student demand. The institute is continually reviewing its priorities to ensure that the range of programs offered and the means for students to enter these programs are as fair as possible for all parties.
I believe that every effort is being made to ensure that the TAFE maintains an efficient delivery to the ACT community, places students in classes and improves the effectiveness of its educational services, and the working party report is certainly a key factor in this.
Mr Deputy Speaker, I mentioned earlier that I particularly wanted to mention the School of Tourism and Hospitality, and the new school building which was finally opened last year after a 10-year battle to get a new school building. Not only are TAFE students and staff very pleased to see that new school building finally come to fruition but also I know that the tourism and hospitality industry was very pleased as well. The responsiveness to industry requirements from the school over the last few years has been well received by the industry. I am very happy to see negotiations continue, with those changes in responsiveness to a changing industry environment.
Mr Deputy Speaker, I mentioned earlier the national awards which ACT TAFE students have won, and in particular the school with which I am very familiar, the School of Tourism and Hospitality. I would like to read into the record some of those awards that have been won at a national level. In 1987 TAFE won several awards. There was the national apprentice cook and the national waiter of the year. In 1988 they went on to win the national apprentice butcher, national CIA cook of the year and the national CIA student waiter of the year.
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