Negative publicity over cuts to TAFE led to consideration of a public relations strategy to ensure the responsible minister, John Barilaro, is in the media "at least once a week".

A leaked tender document for a "PR Media Strategy TAFE NSW" reveals an unnamed senior media officer in Mr Barilaro's office "has a stated ambition to make the Minister No.4 in NSW in terms of visibility and profile".

A PR strategy wanted to ensure that John Barilaro was in the media "at least once a week". Credit:Jeffrey Chan

It notes the Skills Minister's office "is under pressure from the Premier's Office media managers to get the minister into the metropolitan news at least once a week".

The Baird government's Smart and Skilled reforms mean TAFE colleges are forced to compete for funding with up to 400 private colleges.