Dozens of jobs face axe as cuts hit college
Central Sussex College has become the latest victim of government spending cuts with up to 80 jobs facing the axe.
The posts will be lost across the college’s five campuses – including Crawley - in an attempt to reduce the staffing bill by £2.5million.
The financing of further education was reviewed as part of the government’s Comprehensive Spending Review and, as a result, the college’s funding for 2013/14 was cut by £1.4million.
A statement from the college said: “As with most public services there is an expectation that we will do ‘more for less’ ie to educate more students for less funding.”
The funding cut was an added blow to the college which reported a deficit position in its end of year accounts for 2011/12, with a further defect predicted for 2012/13.
In addition, with fewer adults being able to afford further education in difficult economic time, there was an “under-performance” when it came to target student recruitment numbers.
The college works with 10,000 students per year, from school leavers to adult learners.
A spokesman added that all departments would be reviewed and potentially affected by the cuts.
Phase one of the staff restructuring, which has already started, involves a review of senior leaders, while phase two will commence after Easter for all other staff.
College principal Sarah Wright said: “It is very disappointing that the college is in this position.
“Colleges must maintain financial viability if they are to continue to operate and Central Sussex College, along with many other colleges, has been left with no alternative but to cut costs in line with cuts to funding.
“As with other colleges, staffing is by far the biggest budget expenditure and, therefore, there is no option but to act swiftly and decisively to reduce staffing and ensure a balanced budget is achieved whilst protecting frontline services to students and employers.”
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Saturday 25 May 2013
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