Jobs to be lost at Truro College (From Falmouth Packet)

Jobs to be lost at Truro College

7:20am Friday 15th March 2013 in News

Truro College has blamed government cuts for a plan to offer voluntary redundancies.

The college says that current government policy means "significant changes to the 16-19 curriculum offer", and to levels and conditions of funding, and shifts in the patterns of demand for courses. 

And that the voluntary redundancies are due to the need to keep expenditure under careful review as the college explores "any opportunities to make savings".

David Walrond, principal of Truro and Penwith College said: “The financial position of the college remains very strong. It has significant reserves to continue making high levels of investment in its learners, to secure for them the best results. It has no debts.

"However, current government policy means significant changes to the 16-19 curriculum offer, to levels and conditions of funding, and shifts in the patterns of demand for courses. This is the case for all colleges locally and nationally. In this context we intend to keep 

"We are in the fortunate position at this college where we can consider savings in a very measured and careful way, avoiding any decisions which would risk undermining the quality of our work.

"Staff at the college and the organisations that represent them are agreed that we need to minimise the risk in the future of those compulsory redundancies which so many schools and colleges nationally and locally are having to introduce.

"We have therefore, by contrast, introduced a limited voluntary redundancy option here, and with enhancement, for those staff who may wish to consider this, and we have invited expressions of interest.

He added that the offer of voluntary redundancy was "as much about the need to respond to changes in demand for courses as it is about making savings".

Adding: "One example of that change is the rapid growth in our construction, automotive engineering and catering provision. Another major development is the obligation to deliver GCSE English and Maths to everyone who has not already achieved these awards at school.

"In many ways, the new obligations to follow GCSE English and Maths post-16 are to be welcomed, but they will mean some changes to the programmes of study being followed here. Growth in both English and Maths and the expansion of the vocational courses mentioned mean that we are actually appointing new staff here as well as introducing a limited voluntary redundancy offer.”