Weak leadership by a weak minister.

Hau Taki Haere | Tertiary Update Vol 28, No 20

Te Hautū Kahurangi | Tertiary Education Union estimates that nearly 200 staff across the Te Pūkenga network – including Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology, Western Institute of Technology at Taranaki, Toi Ohomai, Wintec, Otago Polytechnic and Southland Institute of Technology – are currently impacted by ongoing restructuring.

90 to 100 jobs are proposed to be lost, affecting over 70 programmes of study. Essential courses in forestry, wood manufacturing, social work, and beauty and health are at risk.

TEU’s Assistant National Secretary – Industrial, Daniel Benson-Guiu, is dismayed. “This is devastating for the communities where these cuts are taking place. It will mean even fewer study options for young people, lost career pathways, and fewer trained workers in the local economies concerned. This is particularly harmful in regions with high unemployment, where courses like these are needed most of all.”

“We know training is counter-cyclical. When the economy is good there is less vocational education and training on campus as numbers are higher in on-the-job training, and when the economy is not performing well, workers flock to the classroom. Cuts now are coming at the worst time for workers – both for our members and those who have lost jobs and are seeking new training opportunities but will have less options available to them.”

The TEU is also highlighting the folly of a recent email to all Te Pūkenga staff from Chief Executive Gus Gilmore encouraging managers to consider not filling vacant positions as a cost-saving measure. Benson-Guiu argues that attrition creates many more problems than it solves.

“All of this is false economy. It creates increased staff stress and workloads, lower-quality education and reduced student services, which can ultimately result in even lower enrolment and greater financial strain.”

“This austerity drive stems from Minister of Tertiary Education and Skill Penny Simmons, who is once again demonstrating weak leadership by a weak Minister. It’s got to stop.”

If you’re as concerned about local vocational education provision as we are – join us to fight back.

Also in this update:

• Academic Freedom Conference – this week!
• Let’s keep fighting back together
• Network general meetings and Te Uepū hui registrations
• Benefit Spotlight – PetCover

Other stories:

Number of illiterate uni students ‘at crisis level’ – The Post

Polytechs slim down to fit minister's model – RNZ

Majority of NZ researchers see Māori Indigenous knowledge as relevant to their work—but there is a gender divide – Te Herenga Waka

Fight Back Together: Workers protest policy reforms and public service cuts – RNZ