The combination of budget cuts and market ideology has been a disaster for vocational education in Australia. That’s the shorter version of a piece for Inside story based on my submission to the SA TAFE Senate inquiry.
Update: On the same day this article appeared, Labor has come out with a call for a major inquiry encompassing both unis and TAFEs. Whether or not my past advocacy had anything to do with this, it’s a welcome outcome.
John Quiggin 
Err, I’m from Canada, what is a TAFE?
If only Australians spoke English.
(College of) Technical and Further Education. Roughly equivalent to community college in the US, not sure of Canadian equivalent.
@jrkrideau
If only we spoke English… like they do in Quebec. 😉
A TAFE is where you’d go to train for a trade (plumber,carpenter,electrician,etc). Outcome is commonly a Certificate IV diploma which is just below a Uni degree (I think). TAFE’s also provide training courses for older adults at night. (eg. Solar electrical for electricians expanding their work, etc) Quality is a bit hit and miss from my experience but it is (was) effective. I did a TAFE night course about 15 years ago. Being surrounded by adults with existing industry experience was a real plus.
Thank you for your prompt and frank reply. I wish you every success with your projects.
Happy for you dear Sisters of Goa houses..what colourful pictures! Hope Mother”s presence and message went straight to your hearts and will remain as happy memories for a renewed vocational and pastoral journey! Enjoy the rest of her short stay of two days!