Gordon finalises job cuts to hit 55

Gordon TAFE will axe 55 jobs and 27 courses as it realigns its operations in response to a $14.6 million state funding cut, the institute has revealed.
Gordon released its finalised cuts to the Independent on Wednesday, with the majority of the job losses in management and the courses from within sport and recreation, hospitality, retail and visual arts sectors.
Chief executive officer Grant Sutherland said Gordon would allow students to finish second-year studies in affected courses and would continue offering its VET-in-Schools program.
Gordon plans to offer 23 new courses next year in biotechnology, health, small business and community services.
Mr Sutherland said the 55 job losses would include “some voluntary redundancies’’.
He did not specify the number.
The cuts would be across all areas and levels of the institute.
The Gordon would continue offering more than 220 accredited courses and over 170 specialist short courses.
Fifteen courses were scheduled for delivery in neighbouring City of Wyndham and Gordon had increased the number of its on-line courses, Mr Sutherland said.
“The overriding principle in these decisions has been to protect and maximise our core purpose in delivery of education and training and meeting industry and community needs,’’ he said.
“This is our priority – as is staying true to our vision, mission and role as a public provider.’’
Mr Sutherland said the budget cuts required “difficult decisions to be made’’.
Gordon had worked hard to achieve the “best outcomes possible’’ for its long-term sustainability, he said.
Mr Sutherland stressed that despite the cuts, and in contrast to changes at other TAFEs, Gordon had retained its City and East Geelong campuses, libraries and training restaurants at both and disability support services.
Mr Sutherland said Gordon had maintained its public provider role as best it could, notably with Geelong’s Northern Futures program, a presence in Colac and in assisting Geelong workers to find new jobs.