Page 1340 - Week 04 - Thursday, 30 March 2017
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
The CIT is the ACT’s largest training provider, offering an extensive range of courses, delivery styles, assessment methods, locations and support services. The ACT government recognises the important function of CIT in servicing the training needs of ACT businesses and the Canberra region. This is why we have committed to ensuring that CIT remains the primary provider of high quality vocational education in Canberra.
As has already been mentioned several times today, the uncertainty of commonwealth funding for Canberra’s VET sector puts the ACT under more financial stress. We will, of course, continue to urge the commonwealth to maintain funding. I thank Minister Fitzharris for bringing this motion forward and again urging the commonwealth government to commit to funding.
In the past few weeks, I have been visiting CIT campuses. I have mentioned this before, and I am happy to mention it again. It is an exciting opportunity to get to see firsthand the sort of work they do. So far, I have visited CIT Reid, CIT Fyshwick and the new Tuggeranong campus. I am looking forward to visiting Bruce in the coming weeks. During these visits, I have been offered an insight into the incredible work that goes on at these campuses. People at CIT are working hard on many diverse qualifications, whether it is their cert III or an apprenticeship.
At its heart, the ACT government-funded VET system aims to maximise the range of VET options available to ensure that every Canberran has the opportunity to reach their full potential and contribute to the community.
There are many ways we can support and should support CIT and the many people studying, training and working there. We can support CIT by ensuring safe work places and practices, so that apprentices are safe during their training and throughout their future work. We can support students and apprentices by taking them on in our own workplaces, to further enrich their training experiences in our community. We can support students at CIT by regarding technical education as a valid and meaningful life path.
I would encourage everyone to support all apprenticeship students studying at CIT, perhaps through booking your next hair appointment at the CIT Reid campus to provide students with real people and real needs in order for them to build on their existing skills. If you have a car that you no longer need, you may want to donate it to the Fyshwick CIT for the auto-mechanic, bodywork or steel-fixing students to work on. These opportunities will provide only a glimpse of what the CIT has to offer and give you a small insight into the work of the CIT students. But they will equip students with the opportunity to further their skills and experiences.
As I have already indicated in this speech, and others before, a properly funded VET system is integral to Canberra’s economic future as well as supporting the future of our community. I commend Minister Fitzharris’s motion to the Assembly and, again, I am grateful that she has given me the opportunity to speak on such an important issue.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video