The role of commercialisation in restructuring the New South Wales public sector and the implication for industrial relations

Commercialisation has been an integral part of microeconomic reform in the New South Wales Public Sector since 1980. The TAPE sector, as part of the NSW public sector is no exception. TAPE was forced to accommodate the changes and challenges imposed by the government in order to increase efficiency and competitiveness in the open training market. There are questions about the ability of the TAPE system to adapt to these demands. Although there have been some changes within the current industrial relations system, the rate of change has not been fast enough to keep pace with changed objectives. Staff are forced to work within a system where rigidity becomes a constant frustration in finding a way forward. This thesis investigates the adoption of commercialisation as a goal and its impact on industrial relations, particularly on staff. In order to gauge the reaction of staff, a self administered questionnaire was devised and administered as part of this work. In addition, interviews were conducted with Senior Management and Teachers Pederation Delegates. The results of the questionnaire and interview transcripts were used as evidence to analyse the effect of commercialisation on staff in TAPE.