Why TAFE should be TAFE

Ideas keep flowing for the myriad of uses the old TAFE site in Tewantin could be used for. It’s a shame to see great buildings sitting empty while politicians meet, for years on end, with no resolution in sight. Surely there’s an easy solution?

How about reopening it as a TAFE?

We know it failed, some say because the course offering were wrong. Others believe it to be just another bad Newman decision. In any case, a lot has changed in our region since it was closed down – we have a much bigger population (taking into account the growth across the Sunshine Coast region, not just Noosa), and there’s much to be done.

Here’s my crystal ball prediction for the jobs of the future in our region, and the skills needed to fill those positions (preferably not with 457 visas…)

• The Queensland water industry will be struggling to keep up with the replacement of ageing water infrastructure as most of our pipes all across the country are nearing the end of their life expectancy. And it’s not all about digging trenches – trenchless technology, robotics and the associated small businesses to service those industries will be booming.
• With a focus on constant renewal of holiday apartments and homes aiming to please the most fastidious high yield tourists, the building, maintenance and construction industries all need young people with hands on skills. Tradespeople from plumbers, electricians, chippies and more are in high demand.
• The agriculture, water and mining industries rely more and more on technology through the use of drones, robots etc – we need experienced operators and mechanically minded people to operate and maintain those.
• Who is going to build all the bike paths we need to separate cyclists from vehicles so we can get all our kids riding to school safely. It will cost much less than duplicating roads and creating more bottlenecks.
• Apparently there’s a severe shortages of chefs – imagine if we could train them right here!
• The rise of the makers will see more and more creative Indy businesses start up – a sewing machine mechanic told me that there are hardly any mechanics on the coast and that he was too busy to take on an apprentice.
• The introduction of the container refund scheme will turn waste into a commodity, encouraging more recycling initiatives and spawning small businesses.
• Smaller scale agriculture and Permaculture farming will ensure our communities will have fresh local food – farming requires machinery and machinery requires maintenance.
• Food processing facilities – why aren’t we snap freezing those yummie berries grown in our region, instead we buy imported frozen berries from China and Chile. It’s crazy.

What do all these jobs have in common? They all require vocational education and training. And who can provide that? TAFE Queensland.

Imagine a course for Indigenous youth to become river rangers – no need for Noosa Council to take over management of the river – the Queensland Government can keep doing it but through their training initiatives actually do a better job of it.

Maybe all we need is an independent MP with excellent negotiation skills to convince the Queensland Government that our region deserves a training facility for our youth. The best way we can keep our youth here is to educate them in the jobs that are needed in this region.