Jozefa Speaks

Speaking on TAFE

Throughout its long history, TAFE in NSW and nationally has been an essential contributor to the economy and society; responsive in times of crisis: like wars and disasters, through economic upheaval, industry restructuring, technological and social change. It is a public institution ready to perform its public duty. It belongs to all of us. Its losses are ours. Its success is also our success .

Its network of campuses in Institutes across the state proudly boasted some of the best training facilities in the world. This is not hyperbole. It is fact.

National investment in TAFE has been consistently focused on producing and maintaining a skilled, mobile labour force as well as targeting the unemployed and those returning to study or work; those upgrading or updating skills, those most vulnerable and disenfranchised or disaffected with education. Skills gaps and shortages in regional centres have been addressed by astute and strategic programs and interventions: green skills, advanced manufacturing and design, mining and engineering, workplace initiatives, online learning and all forms of flexible delivery.

TAFE COMMUNITY ALLIANCE SUBMISSION TO THE PRODUCTIVITY COMMISSION ISSUES PAPER - SKILLS AND WORKFORCE AGREEMENT 2020

Post draft submisson

Jozefa Sobski

Spokesperson for TCA

Jozefa Sobski AM has been active women's, feminist and community organisations for many years. She is currently:

the Chair of the Board of Jessie Street National Women’s Library.
member of the Executive of Women’s Electoral Lobby, NSW and
Convenor of WEL Australia.
She was a foundation member of the NSW Women in Education group founded in 1973 and the Australian Women's Education Coalition.

Jozefa's career in paid public service spanned thirty one years, mainly in technical and further education. She was Principal of Meadowbank College of TAFE and Director of South Western Sydney Institute of TAFE and Deputy Director-General in the NSW Department of Education and Training.

She was for some years, Chairperson of the Ministerial Council's National Vocational Education, Employment and Training Women's Advisory Committee.

Jozefa is committed to social justice, equality of access to education and training for all, adequate government funding and support for our public institutions and fighting all forms of discrimination.