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CDU VC Professor Simon Maddocks . Photo : Supplied
Fit for survival
CDU announces course and job cuts .
By Wade Zaglas
Charles Darwin University has
released a plan to balance its budget through $ 9 million in savings after six weeks of consultation with university staff , industry and the NT government .
The university ’ s plan to unify Vocational Education and Training ( VET ) and Higher Education across its campuses in the NT will result in 77 full-time positions being axed , or 5 per cent of all staff . Jobs to go include vacant positions , as well as jobsharing and part-time arrangements .
Thirty-six employees who have been affected by the change proposals have already volunteered to take redundancy , while 39 additional staff have been told their positions will not be required at the university in 2021 . CDU has said it will “ continue to support these staff and where appropriate offer a redeployment process ”.
The restructuring of CDU will also result in 19 courses being cut , some of which have no current enrolments . However , the university has assured current students that they will have an option to complete or continue their studies . Campus Review has learnt that the courses to be cut include : ∞ Certificate III in Community Night Patrol ∞ Certificate III in Business Administration ∞ Certificate I in Business ∞ Certificate I in Hospitality ∞ Certificate IV in Business Administration ∞ Certificate IV in Hairdressing ∞ Diploma of Business Administration ∞ Certificate IV in New Small Business ∞ Certificate IV in Building Design Drafting ∞ Certificate II in Automotive Air Conditioning Technology
∞ Certificate II in Automotive Servicing Technology
∞ Certificate II in Split Air-Conditioning and Heat Pump Systems
∞ Certificate I in Information , Digital Media and Technology
∞ Certificate II in Information , Digital Media and Technology
∞ Certificate III in Library and Information
Services ∞ Certificate IV in Logistics ∞ Certificate II in Community Services ∞ Certificate I in Resources and Infrastructure Operations
∞ Certificate III in Automotive Diesel Engine Technology
“ We considered the financial viability of each course , current students as some had zero enrolments , and ensuring CDU continues to provide local and national skill sets to meet the needs of business and industry ,” Deputy Vice-Chancellor Meredith Parry told Campus Review .
When asked why no higher education courses were being discontinued , Parry replied : “ We constantly review the viability of all courses , Higher Ed or VET , and make changes to our portfolio on a regular basis . Higher Ed is financially sustainable .
“ Since releasing proposed changes the team has diligently assessed more than 400 pieces of feedback from staff to create the most effective and workable solutions .
“ There are many staff who took a great deal of time to provide their input . We value this feedback and in response have made a number of changes in every affected college or office .
“ It is a difficult time , but we have a Council directive to find savings through financial efficiencies across the university for sustainability , and to position CDU for growth and provide better pathways for more VET students .”
Parry said the university will continue proactive consultations with both employers and industry in the future to “ ensure apprenticeships and skills training meets the needs of the Territory ”.
CDU is the latest university to undertake restructuring measures to guarantee the viability of the institution in the years to come . Current predictions are that the Australian university sector could expect to see as many as 21,000 jobs disappear by the end of the year .
External reports prepared by Ernst & Young , and Drs Shanahan and Zoellner , highlight the specific challenges facing CDU and concluded that the current VET structure was financially unsustainable .
One of only six dual-sector universities in the country , 8,700 or 45 per cent of the university ’ s students are enrolled in VET courses . However , CDU points out that , since 2013 , enrolments and funding for the VET sector have been in decline and delivering VET courses in some of the most remote places in the Territory presents “ unique challenges ”.
“ CDU has always been a unique university operating in a remote and lowpopulation region . We need to ensure we continue to be sustainable . Further pressures come from a drop in both government funding and VET enrolments ,” Parry concluded . ■
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