The Nelson Mail reports that the Tertiary Education Commission will make its decision today over which of its staff will be made redundant to help the government reach its cost cutting targets.

Christchurch Central MP Brendon Burns is suggesting that the entire South Island staff could be sacked. The commission has already announced it will lay off 76 staff, reducing its total employees to about 292, but it is not naming those workers until today.

Mr Burns says that there are more than 100 private training organisations around the South Island offering a huge variety of courses from hairdressing to horticulture.

“These organisations are all funded for their student numbers via the TEC and engage with the South Island staff. This service and scrutiny will now be replaced by a call centre in South Auckland. Is this how the government will deliver its promises on excellence, improved standards, and accountability in education?”

TEC spokesperson Jude Urlich, however, told the Mail that Mr Burns had pre-empted Thursday’s decision and would not know the details of it. TEC chief executive Roy Sharp told a parliamentary select committee last week that, despite the job cuts, the commission would still be able to do everything it is meant to do.

Professor Sharp said that TEC is moving towards using modern technology to replace some face-to-face contacts. Telecommunications, video communications, and offices in Auckland and Wellington would be used to centralise staff.