. @TAFEeducation

My story:
Came from a single parent household.
Finish Yr 10 and went to TAFE to become a stenographer.
Got a job on finishing.
Discovered I really didn't like being a stenographer so went back to TAFE

to do accounting (part-time for four years). TAFE was great at offering courses in the evening so I could still work.
On finishing my certificate, changed jobs and went to an employer who had a reputation for supporting higher education.

Started Uni on the strength of my TAFE qualifications. Did a part-time Uni degree (originally in Commerce but then transferred to Science to do a double degree). It took 8 years p/time.

I was fortunate that my employer would allow me to go to some daytime lectures as long as I made up the hours. So I worked full-time and studied part-time. During the years I was promoted and had a good job with benefits.

W/o TAFE I wouldn't be where I am today. Those mature, experienced teachers who had worked in industry taught you how to do things properly; they taught the 'hacks'. They guided you on 'how' to be employed and what to expect.

I owe an enormous debt to TAFE. Changed my life to what it could have been. I see young smart people who are unemployed in my 'hood. Breaks my heart. I had a repair done to my house by a lovely Irishman. My hairdresser is from Scandinavia. We are importing skills

because we are not skilling up young, smart and in most cases, willing Australians. I think employers generally don't invest in employees as much as they did. The 'casualisation' of labour has contributed dramatically to this.

Also modern business likes to take on social causes w/out making an impact other than to virtue signal. The best thing business can do is take care of their employees (eg, access to reliable higher education, secure empl, benefits) & the communities in which they operate.

Do that and companies will in most cases, turn a profit and tap into the discretionary energy of those people working for them. It also respects the immediate community which allows them to operate.

TAFE did this for me. #fullyfundTAFE