Charles Darwin University has revealed plans to cut 77 jobs – 5 per cent of its workforce – in a merger of vocational and higher education (VET) that could save the institution $10 million.

Staff at CDU were told about the proposed change on Tuesday afternoon, including a plan to cut 19 VET courses.

The scrapped courses include certificates in community night patrol, hospitality, hairdressing and business administration.

The university’s deputy vice-chancellor Meredith Parry said two independent reports had found the VET structure was “financially unsustainable”.

CDU has been reviewing its Vocational Education and Training courses and administration over the last 12 months, and has released draft Change Proposals for staff and union consultation. Read more: https://t.co/C1ATM8tgg1

— Charles Darwin University (@CDUni) September 29, 2020

“This will be a difficult time for many at CDU,” Ms Parry said in a statement.

“I am acutely aware that losing a position in

Charles Darwin University has revealed plans to cut 77 jobs — 5 per cent of its workforce — in a merger of vocational and higher education (VET) that could save the institution $10 million.

Staff at CDU were told about the proposed change this afternoon, including a plan to cut 19 VET courses.

The scrapped courses include certificates in community night patrol, hospitality, hairdressing and business administration.

The university’s deputy vice-chancellor Meredith Parry said two independent reports had found the VET structure was “financially unsustainable”.

“This will be a difficult time for many at CDU,” Ms Parry said in a statement.

“I am acutely aware that losing a position in a national market that could see up to 21,000 university sector jobs go by the end of the year is confronting, and comprehensive staff support measures have been put in place for staff and their families.”

Ms Parry said some