The role of TAFE in the development of skills, opportunities and employment prospects for those undertaking training is set to be examined following the announcement of a Parliamentary inquiry into the sector.

The Education and Employment Committee will lead the investigation, which will also examine the delivery of services and programs to regions, communities and disadvantaged people.

The Australian Education Union (AEU) has welcomed the announcement, saying it comes at a dire time for the sector, which has faced thousands of job cuts and hundreds of course cuts in Queensland, Victoria and New South Wales.

“This is a much needed intervention by the federal parliament – TAFEs across Australia have suffered savage cuts over the past twelve months, right at the time when governments at all levels should be doing all they can to support Australians getting the qualifications they need,” AEU President Angelo Gavrielatos said.

Submissions to the inquiry can be found here