BCIT cuts limit public access to training programs

Underfunding and no-deficit policy means students, staff have fewer options

The recession is no time to be eliminating training programs and laying off knowledgeable staff at post-secondary institutions, the B.C. Government and Service Employees' Union said today, in response to an announcement that the BC Institute of Technology will be laying off nearly 5 per cent of staff to address a looming deficit.

"At a time when demand for job training and upgrading is surging, the government should be doing everything possible to make post-secondary education more accessible, not cutting programs and restricting funding," said BCGEU president Darryl Walker.

"Students increasingly want to upgrade their job skills so they are ready when the economy recovers. These cuts will make it more difficult for students to accomplish their employment goals."

Ironically, at a time when the provincial government is rightly incurring deficits to stimulate the economy during the recession, they are telling post-secondary institutions and publicly-funded agencies that they are forbidden from doing the same to support necessary public services as revenues diminish.

"There is a disconnect between what the government is doing and what they are telling everyone else to do," said Walker. "Surely, when demand for training is at its highest, the government should cut our educational institutions some slack until the economy recovers and revenues stabilize.

"Instead, the government has tightened funding rules which can only mean that many students and staff members will be left to fend for themselves this winter. It's short-sighted thinking on the part of the government to try to cut their way out of the recession."

BCIT currently employs about 1,700 staff members. The BCGEU represents 1260 support staff and instructors at the institution. Final numbers of member layoffs will become known in the new year, when BCIT releases it's complete plan to meet the government's deficit targets.

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For more information, contact Chris Bradshaw at 640-291-9611