22 jobs to go at Shrewsbury College
Shrewsbury College is shedding 22 jobs as part of a major restructuring brought on by national funding cuts.
Six redundancies were today announced and another 16 have agreed to leave voluntarily.
The college says it has been forced to take action in order to save money but insists courses will be maintained.
It also says it is around 38 new "roles" involving 13 teaching staff and support roles", and seven new apprenticeships – although it is unclear if the new positions are full time.
The college is the latest in Shropshire being forced to make cuts. Last week more than 40 teachers at Telford's New College went on strike against restructuring plans which they claim have "left many worse off".
Telford's College of Arts and Technology also faces losing almost a quarter of its 'Adult Skills' funding from the Government for the forthcoming academic year after cuts of almost £4 million were revealed..
Steve Wain, principal at Shrewsbury College , said the restructuring had been a result of the financial pressure.
Mr Wain said: "We review staffing each year to ensure we are better placed to deal with changing demands. This year the process has been linked with the much publicised national funding cuts.
"As a result, the jobs we need have changed and some new ones are being created and the only way to do this is through a restructuring process. The net outcome in this case being more jobs at the college.
"There are no cuts to courses under the proposed restructure - the majority of savings we are proposing to make will come from working differently in ways which will benefit students and support operations better.
"As a result, we anticipate making no more than six compulsory redundancies, which will be confirmed later in the year if alternative roles cannot be found for those affected.
"We are expecting to create around 38 roles, plus a further range of 13 teaching and support roles as well as seven new apprenticeships to meet the needs of young people and our growth in certain curriculum areas, which will shortly be advertised on our website.
"We have reached agreements with 16 members of staff who will be leaving the college this summer. Remaining staff under consultation will be invited to apply for other roles within the college."
