Move to avoid college compulsory job losses at Shrewsbury College

Union bosses representing staff at Shrewsbury College have said they were 'fully committed' to avoiding compulsory job losses that could re-sult from a management shake-up.

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Matthew Wood, from the Shrewsbury branch of the University and College Union, said talks had been held with Principal Steve Wain and senior managers about changes to the management structure which have put 30 jobs at risk.

College chiefs say some compulsory redundancies are expected but claim money saved through the job losses will be reinvested into teaching.

Mr Wood said : "UCU are fully committed to avoiding any compulsory redundancies.

"Regional representatives and members are in consultation to save jobs and find new opportunities through redeployment and offer a package of voluntary redundancy for all members affected, although sadly it is inevitable that there will be fewer staff by the end of this process."

But teachers could be in line for salary increases under the plans unveiled by Mr Wain on Thursday, when he said the college was reprioritising its spending away from management and support.

He added: "We are increasing choice and student contact time when many other colleges faced with austerity cutbacks are doing the opposite.

"We have looked carefully at how we can prioritise our investment in students and teaching, and after a month of positive internal consultation are now implementing a restructuring of our management arrangements and support functions."

The college is undergoing a £12 million expansion of its main campus in London Road.