Apprentice speaks at Labor media conference

Woy Woy apprentice plumber Bryce Verheyen has first-hand experience of government cuts to vocational education and TAFE.

Bryce came forward to make comments during a recent media conference held by Labor's candidate for Robertson, Ms Ann Charlton.

"We risk not having the trained workforce of the future," Mr Verheyen said.

"In my class at TAFE, the numbers have dropped dramatically with over 30 starters at the beginning of my apprenticeship a couple of years ago, to under 10 still left in," he said.

"It's very difficult with all of the program cuts, like Tools for Your Trade, it leaves us all without the support we had at the beginning of our training."

Ms Charlton said: "There are approximately 650 fewer apprentices in training in this local area since the Liberal government has come to power.

"I understand and care about the plight of TAFE students and teachers," she said.

"They have suffered through unprecedented cuts since the Abbott/Turnbull Government has been in power."

"The Liberals have deserted our local young people with their massive cuts to the TAFE and vocational education sector.

"It's worrying that (Member for Robertson) Mrs Wicks doesn't even know that the federal government supports TAFE and skills education, or that the Abbott-Turnbull Government has already cut $2.5 billion from trades training, including $1 billion cut from apprentice support," Ms Charlton said.

"With youth unemployment so high on the Peninsula, I would think that Ms Wicks would care more about TAFE."

Media release, 15 Mar 2016

Ann Charlton, Labor candidate for Robertson