A further 65 jobs are under threat at a recently merged college - a year after 85 jobs were slashed.
The University and College Union (UCU) said a second round of job cuts less than 18 months after the merger between St Helens College and Knowsley Community College, which created SK College Group, represented a failure of college management and posed a serious threat to educational opportunities in the region. The latest round of cuts also includes plans to close the 14-16 Academy in St Helens.
The union added that the threat of cuts was creating uncertainty for students and staff, as the college had not given any details on the areas that it is looking at to make cutbacks.
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UCU regional official Martyn Moss said: “Less than 18 months on from a merger that the college said would bring stability, it has announced a second round of job losses. Cuts of this magnitude would have a serious impact on the college’s ability to deliver educational opportunities for students in the region.
College job cuts ‘would have serious impact’
“Government cuts to further education are a disgrace, especially at a time when we should be investing in the skills the country needs, but that doesn’t excuse knee-jerk cuts from colleges. The uncertainty hanging over staff and students is incredibly worrying and we will be fighting against compulsory job losses and increases in workloads.”
At the time of the merger, SK College Group said it would ensure that the colleges can “continue to deliver a broad and diverse, high-quality, relevant curriculum and qualifications”. UCU said its members are due to meet to discuss their response to the news.
A spokesperson for SK College Group said, “It is with regret that SK College Group announced the need to consult on potential staff efficiencies including the planned phased closure of the St Helens College 14-16 Academy by the summer of 2020.
“St Helens College 14-16 Academy will remain fully operational for our Year 10 and Year 11 students, and we wish to reaffirm our total dedication to ensuring the future wellbeing and best possible achievement outcomes for every student at the St Helens College 14-16 Academy. This was not a decision that was made lightly.
“Sadly and unsurprisingly, the education sector continues to be challenging, with regional and national trends showing a significant decline in FE recruitment. These national trends have affected the College Group, and whilst we have maintained recruitment levels in many areas of College specific provision, we need to continuously evaluate and respond to the difficult environment in which we are operating.
“SK College Group has issued formal notification and a formal consultation process has now commenced with all staff and Trade Unions. A voluntary redundancy programme has been offered, and SK College Group anticipates that many, if not all of the required savings, will be achieved via this method; maximising redeployment opportunities wherever possible.
“We will, however, continue to promote and provide the broad and inclusive College curriculum that we have always offered, providing there is sufficient demand. Our College students will not be adversely affected and we are committed to continuing to invest in our quality processes and developing our curriculum to ensure we continue to provide the very best student experience.”
