STAFF and students across the five campuses of Coleg Sir Gar have learnt this week of Welsh Government cuts that unions fear will mean the loss of around 60 jobs and cuts to courses.
Jobs are expected to be lost in teaching, support and management posts.
Part-time learners, especially those over the age of 19 – are expected to be hardest hit, whilst many full-time students will see cuts to the teaching hours of their courses.
Further education colleges across Wales are facing a reduction in funding from Welsh Government leading to as many as 1000 jobs going across the sector in the 12 colleges based in Wales.
The funding cuts are thought to be a result of the Cardiff Government protecting schools and the health service in the face of austerity and a tight settlement from Westminster.
Unions at the college are furious at what they see as an attack on their members, students and the local community. Steve Jones, a union spokesman, said:
“Colleges play a vital role in their local communities and especially in giving people the skills they need for the workplace. This is a shortsighted cut from Welsh Government – politicians have a chance to save these jobs and courses and we will be doing everything we can to hold them to account.
“We estimate that these drastic cuts could be avoided for around £25 million across Wales – that is less than 0.2% of what Welsh Government spends each year.”
In line with all further education colleges in Wales, Coleg Sir Gar is facing a very challenging financial climate in 2015-16, following the announcement of significant reductions in further education funding by the Welsh Government’s Department for Education and Skills (DfES).
These reductions coupled with increased pension contributions will see a shortfall of over £2.5m in the college’s budget going into the next academic year.
The college says that in facing this challenge, the college’s top priorities will be to continue to offer one of the widest choices of post-16 education in Wales and wherever possible to minimise job losses. In particular, the college will seek to protect its full time courses, particularly those aimed at 16-19 year old school leavers. It will also, continue to deliver the widest possible range of apprenticeship programmes in support of local employers, provide full and part time higher education courses as part of the UWTSD Group and offer Basic Skills courses to support those with greatest need in the community.
The principal, Mr Barry Liles, told The Herald: “I can assure our learners that we will do everything in our power to ensure they are not affected by this announcement and that those starting with us in September can still look forward to an excellent educational experience in line with our mission – to be excellent – the college of choice.”
Managers at the college are working with staff and trade unions on implementing a voluntary redundancy scheme across all campuses which has been offered to all staff. The college will also continue to develop more efficient and cost effective ways of working in the coming year and will continue to target alternative sources of income.
Assistant principal, Mr Mike Williams, commented: “While the reductions to further education funding are significant and very disappointing, the college has worked hard to develop a wide range of income sources over the years and is one of colleges that is least reliant on the further education grant in Wales.
“This diversity in income, coupled with the strong support of the UWTSD Group, will help us in meeting this challenge in the coming year.”
Further west, Pembrokeshire College is facing possible cuts of upto £1.8m
AM’S WARNING
The Herald spoke to Mid and West AM Simon Thomas, who has warned of potential redundancies at colleges and schools across Wales due to the Welsh Government’s cuts.
He highlighted the issue in the Senedd during questions to the Education Minister.
The Minister admitted that the financial settlement for post 16 education was difficult with the likelihood of job losses.
Simon Thomas AM told The Herald: “The First Minister admitted last week that the protection of school spending does not extend past 16 year olds. Only today I have received information from a school and an FE college about the possibilities of redundancies in the next financial year.
“We have seen in-year cuts from the Education Minister and cuts of almost 10 per cent with 11 grants rolled up into one. These missing grants include the Minority Ethnic Achievement Grant and the School Effectiveness Grant.
“These grants are essential for Continuous Professional Development; these cuts leave the Welsh Government’s New Deal for teachers and lecturers with no money, no resources, and no opportunity for extra training.
“If this is a passport for teachers it means that it seems to have expired already.”
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