NAPE is raising the alarm over a 20 per cent cut in seats in Memorial University’s Social Work Program.

President Jerry Earle says the union found out about the cut, which came into effect last year, in a committee meeting last week.

He calls the decision “irresponsible,” and says it comes at a time when social work vacancies are already “critically high.”

He says reducing training capacity will put an even greater strain on social workers who are already juggling what he calls “overwhelming and unsustainable” caseloads.

He says the cut will have an impact for years to come as fewer graduates enter the system to fill future gaps.

Memorial says the number of seats dropped from 100 in 2024 to 80 in 2025 and remains at 80 this year. That returns the number of seats to levels before 2022 when it increased to 100.

The university says the decision “reflects a recalibration to ensure continued alignment with collective agreement provisions and program requirements.”

NAPE says according to a 2022 Social Work Model Report, about 70 per cent of social workers in the province were MUN graduates.

Earle warns that the decision to cut social work seats will have “direct and lasting consequences” for social workers and the people who rely on their services.