TAFE jobs slashed in Hunter

The Public Service Association (PSA) is concerned about the viability of TAFE campus services following one-third cut in staff at campuses throughout the Hunter.

The Department of Education began implementing a restructure in January 2004 that involved the axing of 1170 positions state-wide. But in no area other than the Hunter have jobs been removed from Campus Service Centres.

Twenty-six jobs in total have been chopped from the Hunter Institute. The PSA is alarmed as to why the Hunter appears to have been unfairly targeted.

Both Department of Education management in Sydney and Hunter Institute management in Newcastle have separately acknowledged that the restructure has been handled differently in the region and a disproportionate number of jobs have been slashed. What neither party is willing to acknowledge however, is responsibility for the cuts.

At least two positions have been removed from the Hamilton, Glendale, Cessnock, Maitland, Wyong and Gosford campuses, with even more from the larger Tighes Hill campus. Hunter Institute management argue the job cuts were due to a centralisation of some administrative procedures, but fail to recognise they leave offices dangerously short-staffed.

The PSA believes it will be difficult for the remaining staff to perform all of the functions that they do today. Campus Service Centres are responsible for many student services including enrolments, examination results, fee collection, TAFE cards and course information.

Note: The above media release went to Newcastle media businesses. Similar media releases were sent to Central Coast and upper Hunter media firms where there are cuts to Cessnock, Maitland, Kurri Kurri, Gosford and Wyong campuses.