National Consultation on $11B Education Investment Fund

A national consultation will seek to bring clarity to the operations of the new $11B Education Investment Fund - a central part of the 'education revolution' with three infrastructure funds totaling $40B proposed in last week's Federal Budget.

Australia's TAFE institutes applauded the 2008 Commonwealth Budget with its commitment to create a new $11B Education Investment Fund - aimed to provide capital funding for investment in the VET sector.

TDA Chief Executive Martin Riordan said the Fund would create improved capability for TAFE Institutes to develop technologies, improved infrastructure and industry co-investment for increased online and enterprise training needs.

"Deputy Prime Minister Gillard should be congratulated for this major initiative on skills, and especially her pledge to proceed to a 'national vision' for TAFE to meet the productivity growth required for Australia," Martin Riordan said. "We will be pleased to now take part in the national consultation."

To see TDA's media statement, click here.

Photo: (left to right) Martin Riordan, TDA CEO, Minister for Education,
Employment and Workplace Relations, the Hon. Julia Gillard MP,
Wayne Collier, TDA Deputy Chair and CEO Swan TAFE, and Deb Daly,
TDA Chair.