‘We are not able to say definitively how many positions will be impacted’: Vice-Chancellor
A document obtained by the NT News shows how many Charles Darwin University staff could be out of a job this Christmas and what Vocational Education and Training courses will be axed.
Northern Territory
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SIXTEEN of Charles Darwin University’s staff may be out of a job this Christmas with a new wave of cuts proposed.
In a document obtained by the NT News, 16 permanent staff and 35 qualifications from the Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector may be cut by December.
A statement from CDU revealed the cuts are part of attempts to restructure VET.
On Wednesday VET staff were given a proposal detailing the changes, with a consultation period open until November.
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In an email sent to staff, Vice-Chancellor Professor Simon Maddocks confirmed the cuts would be made once the first consultation period was over.
“Until that time, we are not able to say definitively how many positions will be impacted,” it read.
“I anticipate that the confirmed changes will be implemented from early December 2019.
“While this timing is not ideal, we will ensure that our staff are supported over the Christmas and New Year period.
“I know that change processes can be testing for everyone involved, however, we must address now the operational constraints and expenditure challenges if we are to improve the University’s financial position and meet our growth aspirations.”
In the email, Prof Maddocks said the restructure was prompted by discussions with the Government.
“Following discussion with the NT Government and senior VET management, a list of VET courses for discontinuation was presented to staff today, along with the positions that are proposed to be displaced as a result,” it read.
“Our financial results during the past 10 years show a clear trend of growing expenses and declining revenues. We need to act decisively to reverse this trend.”
National Tertiary Education Union NT president Darius Pfitzner said action to improve the VET sector should have been made years ago.
“We’ve known we’ve had issues since after the Vice-Chancellor started,” he said.
“We could have addressed issues much sooner. There may have been alternate responses and a reduced impact if issues were addressed earlier.
“Staff are upset, they’re angry, they’re restructure weary and on top of that, what a time to lose one’s job, just before Christmas.”
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