A THORNESIDE mechanic has taken the state government to task over axing an automotive course at Alexandra Hills Tafe.
The six-month pre-vocational course, offered at the campus for more than 20 years, was axed in July, after the state government restructured the tertiary education sector and bumped up fees.
Garage owner Paul McMullin said a local student, who was promised an apprenticeship, was forced to leave his employment after Tafe cancelled the Certificate II course at Alexandra Hills and sent students to Acacia Ridge.
He said the student was enrolled to start on July 21 and given a tour of the Alex Hills campus before being notified the course would no longer be offered in Redlands.
Mr McMullin also said skyrocketing fees for the course were deterring students from Redlands.
Fees jackpotted from $1400 in January to a whopping $4800 a semester on July 1. Three years ago, the same course cost $400 and last year it was $700 a semester.
“As a result, the apprentice has decided to seek alternative employment because he would have to find an extra $30 a week to travel three hours a day on public transport to learn a trade,” Mr McMullin said.
“We have tried in the past to employ apprentices without sourcing from the Alex Hills Tafe but the course provided youngsters with an excellent basis of mechanics and workplace health and safety.
“All of my apprentices have gone on to complete their training at Skills Tech Acacia Ridge but only after they have completed their first year at Alex Hills and were able to financially afford the time to travel within their own vehicles.
“Cuts to education are to the detriment of everyone in our community - from our young people starting out in their careers to business owners trying to do the right thing by the community and employ locals.”
Mr McMullin said his business was just one of at least five in the area, including Old Mac Toyota, Nissan and Mazda, which relied on apprentices from the Alex Hills pre-vocational Tafe course.
Before July, there were 28 students on a waiting list for the automotive Certificate II course and three students enrolled.
Before the course was axed, Mr McMullin said there were 10 apprenticeships up for grabs in Redlands over the next year which were now likely to be filled by students from outside Redlands.
Queensland Teachers Union representative for Tafe David Terauds said it was a shame the campus was being “wasted” and teaching staff slashed.
He said he believed it was a first step towards privatising the campus.
ALP candidate for Capalaba Don Brown said he would work to reduce Tafe fees and promote local training programs if he wins the seat, held by the LNP with a 4 per cent margin, at the next election.
Mr Brown said he would take up the students’ plight after being contacted by Capalaba business Smart Auto and Repairs.
