NorthTec fears tough times if $2m funding cut

North Tec faces a massive loss of TEC funding. PHOTO/ohn Stone

NorthTec's acting chief executive says it will be a "difficult time for staff" after indications the polytechnic could lose $2.3 million in funding for programmes crucial for young people with few qualifications.

Mark Ewen, acting chief executive of NorthTec, sent a letter to staff last week saying he was informed by the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) that funding for level 2 would be halved, although it had not been confirmed.

NorthTec's level 1-2 funding for 2016 is $4,743,606.

"It means our (Level 2) delivery in 2017 will need to be halved and other directorate support service areas will also need reductions in staffing. In addition there will be changes at management level to reflect this streamlining of the organisation due to this large loss of funding," he said in the letter.

Tertiary Education Union organiser Chan Dixon said level 2 courses are crucial for young people coming out of school with few or no qualifications.

NorthTec's level 2 programmes cover fields from agriculture, construction, and automotive engineering to foundation studies, Te Reo Maori and horticulture.

Mr Ewen said the polytechnic had been "informally advised" that the amount of funding for level 2 programmes will not match the funding bid for 2017.

"Clearly this is a difficult time for staff who may be affected and their whanau, especially as we are heading into the Christmas period. We will be working with them to confirm any staff reductions, and we will also work with the affected staff to assist them through this time," he said.

It comes in the same week The Design School in Whangarei announced it may close this year after TEC indicated it would not continue to fund the level 2 fees free courses.

Because TEC is yet to formally confirm allocations for funding, the impact the 2017 funding would have on jobs and programmes at NorthTec was unclear.

"We have had initial conversations with all applicants to give them an early indication of likely funding levels, and will shortly be sending final confirmation of the results of their application," said TEC chief executive, Tim Fowler.

Ms Dixon said it was a double blow for Northland.

"I think it's very easy for every institution to say we're different but I think in Northland you can see Northland's needs are different. We're really concerned decisions are being made from a desk in Wellington who are unaware of the needs of Northland in terms of the demographic, in terms of the unemployment," she said.

Ms Dixon said it was a "frustrating situation" for staff.

"Until there is confirmation, everyone is on tenterhooks," she said.

Mr Ewen said once TEC formally informed NorthTec which programmes will not be funded the polytechnic will be in a position to make decisions around delivery and staff and the community will be informed.