Job cuts proposed at tertiary agency

PSA national secretary Brenda Pilott. File photo / Supplied

Staff at the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) are "shocked" by a proposal to cut more than 100 jobs at the agency, says the Public Service Association (PSA).

The proposal to cut jobs is included in a review by consultants Deloitte which says the agency, which administers funding for tertiary education, is hindered by its structure and lacks strategic capability.

PSA national secretary Brenda Pilott said staff were "shocked at the size of the cuts".

The proposal, which also included the creation of 39 new positions, would mean about 80 of the approximately 300 jobs at TEC would be lost, Ms Pilott said. About 40 of the threatened jobs were currently vacant.

Staff, who were already under pressure after cuts were made 18 months ago, were concerned they may not be able to keep up with the workload if the job cuts go ahead, she said.

The proposal did not include a reduction in workload which includes the distribution of $3 billion of funding to about 800 education providers.

While the proposal was yet to go through consultation, cuts of the magnitude included in the report would likely go ahead, she said.

- NZPA