Thursday, 17th May 2012
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| Computer course axed; life skills stay |
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By Amanda Durry November 16 2011
The decisions were announced by polytechnic chief executive Kay Nelson following a seven-week consultation process. One staff member in Ashburton will potentially be made redundant. Ms Nelson said anyone already enrolled in programmes such as the level 2 computing, which is a two-year course, would have the opportunity to complete their qualification. "We will absolutely honour the contracts we have with current students to enable them to finish their qualification. "We don't know the exact details of what days we will teach, or even who will teach it at present but we will be getting in touch with all students in the coming few weeks," she said. Kris Smith from the Tertiary Education Union said it was a real testament to the tutors that students were able to build a campaign to save the certificate in life skills course. "A really well developed campaign was launched and the community was drawn into that so it is good to turn that decision around. "But the computing course allowed people from a variety of circumstances a second chance at education. "Cuts to adult community education in Ashburton mean there is nothing else on offer to develop skills for people moving back into the workplace or wanting to upskill and it's programmes like this that are the very reason polytechnics started in the first place," she said. Aoraki Polytechnic has turned its back on the foundation it was built on by cutting low level courses, Ms Smith said. The polytechnic has announced major cuts to programmes across its five campuses, which are also in Christchurch, Timaru, Oamaru and Dunedin. Fourteen courses will be axed from the beginning of 2012 following a review by the tertiary education provider, and up to 11 people could be made redundant. Courses that will be cut include some media, life skills, and lower level computing programmes. The review was announced in late September and included a seven-week review and consultation process. The move is in line with Aoraki Polytechnic's strategic direction set for the next three to five years, and the Government's Tertiary Education Strategy that outlines several priorities for tertiary education aimed at increasing the number of students achieving at higher levels and improving the educational and financial performance of providers.
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