Partner Article

'Outstanding' college to cut jobs

Newcastle College has announced it expects job losses, despite the fact it recently received part of an £83m government grant to train jobseekers produced by the recession.

The Ofsted-rated “outstanding” college declared the expected 68 job losses when union members held a branch meeting to express their anger at cost saving measures.

Surprisingly, the college was on course to become the first English education institution to receive more funds for higher education teaching than a university.

University and College Union branch secretary David O’Toole said: “I am amazed that the college can seek to make job cuts when it only recently asked staff to work a late shift at its monthly open night because it could not cope with the increased demand for its courses caused by the recession.

“I will be seeking assurances from the MP for the Tyne Bridge constituency that no further grants for training job seekers will go to colleges which are themselves adding unnecessarily to the employment figures.”

Jackie Fisher, chief executive of Newcaslte College group said: “Due to the need to reduce costs as a result of a revised allocation of funding during the next academic year it is with regret that there are proposed redundancies affecting staff at Newcastle College.

“Protecting the interests of our learners and ensuring quality across all our teaching and learning remains our top priority.

“We have entered into full consultation with the appropriate employee representatives and we will be talking to staff regularly throughout this process.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .