By Shelby Brooks
Federation University will begin accepting voluntary redundancies as it restructures its academic model.
The university, with campuses based in Berwick, Churchill and Ballarat, announced on Monday 22 November it would cut down its traditional structure of six university schools to three.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Duncan Bentley said the restructure was focused on employer demand which would increase job opportunities for students and help tackle regional skills shortages.
“It’s an exciting opportunity that will allow Federation to grow and drive innovation and jobs in our regions,” he said.
The three new interdisciplinary centres proposed are a health and wellbeing centre, an education, government and community centre and the science, innovation and a sustainable economic development centre.
“I am proposing a new academic organisational structure that would give much more flexibility and empowerment to seize opportunities and drive innovation, collaboration and the highest standards of excellence that will help support, transform and enhance our regional communities,” Vice-Chancellor Duncan said.
It comes as a 37 per cent fall in student numbers is expected between 2019 and 2022, as reported by The Age.
Vice-Chancellor Duncan said he would be opening up expressions of interest for voluntary redundancy.
“We know that not all staff will see their career goals aligning with this change in direction so we are giving our staff choices by opening up expressions of interest for voluntary redundancy and opportunities to retrain,” he said.
“We would offer career transition support for staff members whose applications are accepted through the proposed scheme.
“We would also explore the opportunity for these staff members to access a scholarship to study a degree at Federation University in identified areas of skills shortage as part of their career transition plan.”
It’s understood staff have until 7 January to apply for the redundancy.
