Aoraki Polytechnic is proposing to cut 30 jobs as it faces a forecast deficit of $2.3 million this year.
Acting chief executive Alex Cabrera this week announced the polytechnic was undergoing a review of its staffing positions, structure and business model to support education delivery.
Mr Cabrera was not specific about the proposed cuts, but Tertiary Education Union (TEU) southern region organiser Kris Smith told the Otago Daily Times the proposal was to disestablish about 41 ''support staff'' positions, and replace them with 11 positions.
Aoraki Polytechnic has campuses in Timaru, Ashburton, Oamaru, Christchurch and Dunedin. and Ms Smith said the proposed cuts would affect them all.
The proposal for job losses was not a surprise as poor management over the last two years had made cuts ''unavoidable'', Ms Smith said.
''There will be further changes down the track as they look at demand for courses,'' she said.
She believed Aoraki Polytechnic was ''genuine'' in its desire to consult staff over the changes, and was therefore hopeful changes could be made to the polytechnic's proposal.
Mr Cabrera said the review came as the polytechnic was forecasting a drop of 400 equivalent full-time students (EFTS) and a $2.3 million deficit this year.
''The current environment is very challenging with factors such as a strong economy, low unemployment and demand for more flexible educational delivery,'' he said.
The proposed model has been put to staff for consultation before a final decision is made.
As of September 30, Aoraki Polytechnic had 23 staff in Dunedin, 10 in Oamaru, and a total of 221 overall.
