STABLE HANDS MISSING OUT ON LOCAL TAFE
Member for Western Victoria Region, Mrs Beverley McArthur recently asked a constituency question of the Minister for Training and Skills and Minister for Higher Education in relation to the stable hand courses offered at the South West Institute of TAFE.
Mrs McArthur asked “why it is that Racing Victoria provide information directing potential students to Warrnambool TAFE but this local training institution has no courses on offer?”
The Warrnambool racing industry is a key local economic driver and job creator and clearly training should be provided at South West TAFE.
“Local Warrnambool students have to travel hours to receive training, often to Melbourne and often from private providers,” she said.
“Western Victoria is home to a significant sector of the racing industry, and it is logical that Warrnambool TAFE should provide courses for stable hands. Stable hands play an essential role in the care and maintenance of racehorses and are critical to the ongoing operation of the racing industry,” she concluded.
The Minister has been busily promoting the merits of Free TAFE but if the Minister cannot provide the courses essential to both students and employers in rural and regional Victoria when she actually represents the Region, then we can only assume her promotional material is without substance.
25 June 2019