Chief executive describes proposal as 'significant step forward'
Over 400 employees at the New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology will be losing their jobs as part of a proposed restructure within the organisation, according to reports.
The institute, also known as Te Pūkenga, is New Zealand's largest vocational education provider that was established in 2020 following the merger of 16 Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics across the country.
Te Pūkenga is now proposing a major restructure that would see about 950 employees affected by the changes, Stuff reported. Impacted staff, however, will be able to apply for more than 550 new positions, while 404 roles will be disestablished.
The proposed restructure aims to reduce duplication and inefficiencies in the system, said Te Pūkenga chief executive Peter Winder.
According to Winder, a consultation among staff would be held this week as part of the "organisational design and change programme," Stuff reported.
But unions are already condemning the proposed cuts at the institute, citing the potential heavier workload on those who will remain.
"Whenever there are cuts, our members tell us the effect it will have on their communities. Our members are passionate, but high workloads and review after review has left many wondering how much longer they can go on," said Tertiary Education Union organiser Daniel Benson-Guiu in a statement.
Te Pūkenga employees previously felt uncertain about the future of their careers in the organisation, with 28% of employees saying their wellbeing wasn't considered following the merger.
Winder, however, described the proposed changes to the organisation as a "significant step forward," Stuff reported.
He cited the financial challenges that the entity has been facing, a struggle that other educational institutions are also going against.
The University of Otago is proposing to cut "several hundred jobs" as it faces a drop in enrolments, Radio New Zealand reported.
Employees of the Victoria University of Wellington were also previously warned of job cuts as part of cost-cutting measures after a $33-million deficit this year, reported the New Zealand Herald.
"Like the rest of the tertiary sector, we have also faced considerable financial headwinds. Our change proposal seeks to address the challenges inherent in the previous system," Winder said.
A final decision on the proposed changes to Te Pūkenga is expected around August, according to Stuff.
