Tamworth TAFE: Public Sector Union claims 22 jobs will go in 'TAFE cuts' across New England region

But the allegation has been rejected by TAFE NSW, with a spokeswoman telling the Leader the union has got its numbers wrong.

The Public Sector Association said four jobs will go in Armidale, three in Inverell, two each in Narrabri and Tenterfield and one each in Gunnedah and Moree, plus nine in Tamworth. Some 678 "frontline" jobs are set to go statewide, the union said.

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Public Sector Association General Secretary Stewart Little said the cuts would eliminate 10 per cent of all jobs in the TAFE system, part of a plan to accommodate a "privatisation fire sale".

"Gladys Berejiklian and Dominic Perrottet are deliberately dismantling TAFE NSW to ready it for sale," he said.

"They're helpfully trimming it down for future corporate buyers to come in and snap it up in another NSW assets fire sale."

However, a spokeswoman for TAFE said there was no plan to privatise the service and that proposed changes would "reduce duplication and management layers".

"The CPSU has misunderstood the information provided to staff, confusing role changes for job losses," she said.

The state government agency is currently in a process of consulting with staff on a proposal to segregate staff into two teams - student service, and facilities management and logistics. The final structure to be rolled out in Tamworth has yet to be signed off.

"TAFE NSW is taking steps to ensure no student is disadvantaged by these changes," the spokeswoman said.

"As required under TAFE NSW Enterprise Agreements, we are consulting with affected employees to seek their input and feedback on proposed changes over the next several weeks.

"Many employees have welcomed the proposed new model."

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TAFE estimated that fewer than 50 jobs would go statewide as a result of the restructure.

Community and Public Sector Union Industrial Manager Thane Pearce said their job estimates were based on government figures.

"[The cuts] will have a very real impact on student experience when they go to TAFE. It's very likely that TAFE will be less appealing as an educational option for students looking for skills looking to qualify," he said.

The jobs to be cut largely include non-teaching technical staff like student advisors, customer support officers, field officers, VET fee help coordinators, help desk operators, marketing and promotions support officers. Other staff to get the axe include gardeners, security offices and tradespeople, Mr Little said.

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