TAFE teacher Mark Ritchie has called on the public to ensure the institution maintains its internationally-recognised trades courses well into the future.
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Mr Ritchie was one of 12 mostly retired teachers which met at the Parkview Hotel on Friday to reminisce about their careers and discuss the future of TAFE.
The electrical trades educator said it's up to Australians to ensure the government makes vocational training a priority by writing letters to media and their local representatives.
With more than 20 years experience working in Orange, Dubbo and Parkes, Mr Ritchie said it's critical there's a trade base in regional areas.
TAFE provides a platform to support industries like mining, electricity suppliers and major contracting organisations like PYBAR
- TAFE electrical trades teacher Mark Ritchie
“There's nothing worse than young people having to leave their hometown to be educated,” he said.
“TAFE provides a platform to support industries like mining, electricity suppliers and major contracting organisations like PYBAR, as well as the vehicle service industry and rural studies.”
His comments come during a difficult time for TAFE NSW, with the NSW government cutting over $130 million in the form of staffing and redundancies and restructuring costs since 2014.
Treasury documents show a further $8.8 million in cuts budgeted for this year.
He said about 2000 students had benefited from the group’s more than 300 years of trade teaching.
While still teaching part-time at TAFE Orange, Mr Ritchie said these days he is kept busy with his four grandchildren who are scattered across the state.
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