John-Paul Langbroek
Education Minister John-Paul Langbroek

April 16, 2013

The State Government announced today it would set up a new body to take over the management of all Queensland TAFE colleges from July 1.

Education Minister John-Paul Langbroek said it was part of the government’s plan to revitalise vocational education and training.

TAFE Queensland will be established as an independent statutory body.

“Up until now, the Government has been both a purchaser of training and a provider of training,” Mr Langbroek said.

“Through the Queensland Skills and Training Taskforce we undertook extensive consultation with industry and they told us that we should keep TAFE at arm’s length from the government to enable it to thrive in an increasingly competitive training market.

“We have accepted the Taskforce’s recommendation and we are now in the process of setting up TAFE Queensland, which will be stronger and more responsive to the skills and training needs of students and industry.”

Mr Langbroek said one of the first tasks would be to recruit up to nine board members with high level commercial experience and in-depth knowledge of vocational training for the TAFE Queensland board.

“This board will determine the new organisational structure of TAFE Queensland so it is important that we have the right mix of commercial skills and experience, balanced with an understanding of Queensland’s rapidly changing training market,” he said.

“I will appoint the interim CEO, however all future CEO appointments will be made by the board to reflect the independent nature of the new TAFE Queensland.

“There will be a 12-month transitional phase after TAFE Queensland is formally established on 1 July 2013, during which it will be business as usual for all TAFE staff and students.”

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