Save Creative Writing in TAFE

I've been teaching (and learning) in this area for twenty years and am deeply worried about the threat to creative arts, especially writing.

There is more to study than building a direct link to a job. Studying directly for a job is thought-limiting and narrow when it comes to building a skill base and growing knowledge. Education can not be solely about producing measurable work skills.

Creative writers are articulate, thoughtful people. Learning to identify a story line and develop a narrative may be one of the more useful skills a student may acquire. Certainly, TAFE and University strategic policies could be improved by some of our graduates understanding of what they are trying to say.
I'm saddened by what I see coming down from above. Fortunately, I'm heartened by what I see from the students, my immediate management and this petition.  

Thanks for your petition, Gary. Good luck in working to help turn this trend around.