Fanshawe College navigates staffing reductions, charts course for skills-based future

Fanshawe College will enter the next school year with significantly less staff. CTV London’s Gerry Dewan has the details.

Fanshawe College is embarking on a new chapter, one defined by a balanced budget and a sharpened focus on skills-based learning, following a challenging academic year marked by significant staffing reductions.

The college recently celebrated the graduation of 13,000 students, with 6,000 participating in convocation ceremonies at London’s Canada Life Place, even as it prepares for substantial internal restructuring.

President Peter Devlin announced that the college is on track to achieve a balanced budget for the upcoming fiscal year, a critical goal that necessitated finding $11 million in cost savings.

This financial restructuring involves a reduction of 500 full-time positions across administrative, faculty, and support staff groups. As of the close of the academic year, approximately 60 positions remained to be cut.

Unions are slated to be notified of specific layoff details by mid-August, with affected employees to be informed starting in mid-September. The entire layoff process is expected to conclude by the end of December.

Devlin assured that these changes will not impact students currently enrolled in programs.

“Any student that’s in a program will see that program all the way through,” he said.

The college’s financial adjustments come amid broader shifts in the post-secondary landscape, particularly concerning international student enrollment. A recent federal government decision to reduce immigration numbers and study permits has led to a significant drop in international student intake.

Fanshawe College has seen its enrollment decrease from a peak of 24,000 students to an expected 16,500 for the upcoming fall term.

Despite the enrollment challenges, President Devlin expressed no regrets regarding the college’s approach to international students.

“We welcomed international students, international students who came and paid for a qualification credential, a credential that launched them into a career field that was needed,” Devlin stated.

He emphasized the college’s role in addressing labour market demands, aligning with governmental initiatives like “Canada Strong” and “Protect Ontario.”

Looking ahead, Devlin highlighted a strategic pivot towards skills-based learning and innovative community partnerships. An example of this new direction is a collaboration with the London Humane Society, where veterinary technician and assisting program classrooms are now located at the society’s new headquarters. This partnership allows students hands-on experience while supporting community animal welfare efforts.

The college also celebrated a strong graduate success rate, with 90 per cent of the 13,000 spring graduates having secured employment.

Also contained in Devlin’s letter was an updated Work Mode policy is set to be communicated in mid-July. This policy aims to re-establish on-campus work as the standard expectation, with hybrid arrangements requiring a minimum of three days per week on campus.

Devlin writes that this shift is intended to foster a stronger college community culture and enhance student success.