A college that recently saw the departure of its high-profile principal and an FE commissioner intervention - and has received significant government support to help turn its fortunes around - is planning to cut 55 jobs.
Vision West Nottinghamshire College has begun a consultation on the final phase of a restructuring plan that would see 72 members of staff put at risk of redundancy, as part of a proposal to lose 55 staff. The previous phase saw over 70 staff leave the college.
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‘Two-phase restructure’
The roles placed at risk are mainly in management and support roles. The plans also include the closure of the college’s construction and employability training centre in Sheffield.
A spokesman for West Nottinghamshire College said: “The college has entered a period of consultation with staff and their trade unions after commencing the second of a two-phase restructure, designed to bring financial stability and ensure we are the right size to serve our communities.
“This final phase has been informed by the curriculum-planning process for the 2019-20 academic year and will see the current breadth of provision retained at our campuses in Mansfield and Ashfield. However, it includes the closure of our construction and employability training centre in Sheffield, which is under-utilised and no longer viable.”
‘Hard-working and dedicated staff’
He added: “In developing these proposals we have worked hard to minimise the impact on students, in particular on their teaching and learning, although some non-essential student-facing services will be delivered slightly differently.
“These changes are no reflection on our hard-working and dedicated staff, who have remained extremely professional during this difficult time. We are committed to supporting all those affected and will seek to place people into other roles wherever possible or help them find employment elsewhere. Although highly regrettable, the measures are expected to save £2.2m on our annual pay bill and are another crucial step towards our financial recovery.
“This will create a staffing structure that is fit-for-purpose, mirrors the size of the college, and focuses on priority areas. Crucially, it will ensure that we are sustainable moving forwards.”
Financial
The college was issued a financial notice to improve last year, and has received over £10 million in exceptional financial support from the Education and Skills Funding Agency.
Last autumn, principal Dame Asha Khemka resigned, only weeks before a report by the FE commissioner cited significant “corporate failure” at the institution. Martin Sim took over as interim principal in October.
