Cuts in tertiary staff proposed

Windermere Campus. File Photo.

Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology is commencing a formal consultation with unions and staff in regards to a proposed reduction in its staffing numbers.

Keri-Anne Tane, Executive Director People, Engagement and Capability, says the decision had not been easy but was necessary to ensure the ongoing sustainability of the institution.

'As the popularity of our programmes ebb and flow, it is essential to review all of those areas where it is no longer financially viable to deliver those programmes in their current form; this is something most institutions undertake regularly.

'As part of this regular review, we have identified overstaffing numbers equating to approximately 18 FTE, spread across our entire portfolio and across the whole region. Our staff have been informed of the proposalto lower our staffing numbers and we will commence a formal consultation process of 20 working days.

'In the first instance, we are offering an opportunity for staff to consider voluntary redundancy. This comes on the back of some staff having requested this opportunity following the reorganisation of our service areas at the end of 2017.

"Of course, there will be criteria around this – we don't want to lose staff in areas where our programmes are at full capacity.”

Toi Ohomai regularly checks that its programme delivery is balanced against the growing needs of the region as well as the New Zealand skill shortage gaps.

This balancing of the programme portfolio sees growth in some areas and reduction in others.

'We are committed to offering educational opportunities to all the people of our region,” said Ms Tane.

'There are no plans to close delivery areas in our area and we do not anticipate there being any impact on our student body.

In a small number of instances, we may defer programme start dates to allow for greater participation.”

The last 12 months Toi Ohomai has gone through significant changes relating to the merger of its legacy institutions. These have included aligning services and programme delivery.

During this process the decreasing enrolment trend through the sector was highlighted so this afforded the institution the opportunity to implement significant non-pay cost reductions and other savings to ensure that minimal institutional resizing was required.

'Our staff have been extremely professional and courageous throughout the journey of realigning our institution. Their dedication and commitment to our students has been outstanding and we thank them wholeheartedly.”

The consultation period will close on Friday, April 6 with a proposed outcome expected by the end of that month.

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6 comments

The real deal

Posted on 10-03-2018 13:06 | By MISS ADVENTURE

Is that the level of the courses offered as compared to elsewhere is what has dropped, the result is less enrolments by students and so then need less teachers. An obvious result of course. The exact same thing has already happened at Waikato and that is for exactly the same reasons. Of course teh wonderful thing for Tauranga is that these two irganisations along with Tauranga Council (the expert creator of losses and financuial disasters) so it is not hard to see just how wonderous the future is for these institutions.


cuts

Posted on 10-03-2018 13:52 | By dumbkof2

is it just a coincident. but since these polytechs changed to mow ree names they have had financial problems


Hard to Swallow!

Posted on 10-03-2018 22:38 | By Bill Gibson-Patmore

This is a hard story to swallow, with the information released. ... Discarding 18 good people will change the fortunes of such a massive institute? ... Again, difficult to comprehend... And, this in a year where Jacinda is paying people to attend tertiary trading? ... I would very much like to say I commend their staffing integrity. ... Who thinks they could possibly stop themselves at 18 FTEs?


@ dumbkof2

Posted on 11-03-2018 13:01 | By MISS ADVENTURE

That is the common thread throughout, the mowree link is te fatal midus touch the is degrading the educational levels and then sure to follow are financal issues a-plently. There is no option but to slash in the end. One can only hope that the false path being followed (students have spotted it already) will be changed soon and rapidly.


@ Bill Gibson-Patmore

Posted on 11-03-2018 14:21 | By MISS ADVENTURE

That is 1/3rd of staff going west. Apparently none of teh mow ree teachers are going. Obviously all these factors will mean a further degredation of: the courses on offer, the level of the course will drop and numbers will drop yet again.


Financial mess

Posted on 11-03-2018 14:23 | By MISS ADVENTURE

We understand that there is a loss of some $30 million of taxpayers money by this outfit. Looks like the wheels have fallen off already and the action to fix it has been rather slow indeed. Like many involved in this outfit, financial remedy is well overdue.


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