Forth Valley College is seeking voluntary redundancies and is also pulling out of Raploch Community Campus in bid to make savings.
The college said this week it would “simply not be possible” to sustain current operating costs and structures after taking into account a number of factors including pandemic recovery, Brexit impact and outside funding allocation.
Included in a “transformation plan” is the withdrawal of FVC’s presence at the Raploch campus - although the college’s recently- built premises nearby will still operate.
An FVC spokesperson said: “We have not delivered any hospitality provision from the Raploch Campus for a number of years, however the Café at the Raploch Campus continued under new management.
“In line with the transformation plan, we will no longer be delivering hair and beauty provision from the salon based within the Raploch Campus.
“We also currently use two classrooms above the salons which will become available for alternative use. FVC currently pays Stirling Council for the use of the facilities.”
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A Stirling Council spokesperson said later that the council was aware of the proposals and was “liaising with college officials.”
In the wider picture, FVC says the plan will help to achieve their 2030 vision and is also line with its newly approved Strategic Plan for 2022-25 which reflects both the changing external environment following the pandemic and the challenging financial environment facing the further education in Scotland.
The spokesperson added: “In light of financial challenges related to a reduction in the college sector’s core funding allocation from the Scottish Funding Council, the college has been scenario planning over the past few months to ensure a sustainable future and minimise the impact of any necessary changes on their workforce.
“However, taking the indicative national funding allocation for 2022/23, along with the impact on the economy of Brexit and recovery from COVID-19 into account, it will simply not be possible to sustain current operating costs and structures.
“This means that substantial savings need to be made to protect the college’s financial security and ensure the organisation is viable, financially sustainable and can continue to deliver for their students and stakeholders.”
The college, which is already embroiled in an industrial dispute, launched a voluntary severance scheme in February and this week proposed a number of key measures as part of a 30-day consultation
These include: reshaping four teaching departments into three while retaining the college’s overall curriculum delivery; withdrawal from Raploch Community Campus; scaling down refectory services at FVC’s Alloa Campus; restructuring a number of corporate services teams; and relaunching the college-wide voluntary severance scheme.
A staff consultation paper was issued and a series of principal’s briefings was announced for staff, who have also been offered “support and advice”.
A restructuring may allow for some staff to be offered alternative roles, however the college says there unfortunately may be a small number of staff where alternative employment is not available – thought to be currently less than four posts.
All those directly impacted by the consultation have been informed and a further period of time is available for staff to apply for vacancies or voluntary severance.
FVC principal Professor Ken Thomson OBE said: “This has not been an easy decision, particularly as we have all gone above and beyond throughout the pandemic.
“My senior management team have been working through a number of scenarios since late last year based on SFC assumptions, so we do have an evidence based position to support our decision making to ensure our financial security.
“As an organisation at the forefront of the regional economic recovery, we have to reform, reshape and rebuild our current delivery model. We must also focus on core business activities to reduce operational costs which includes stopping, reducing or doing differently, our current level of specific services to make the required savings.
“We recognise that any change can be challenging and there will be concerns over the impact this may have on individuals.
“However, we are committed to managing this process in consultation with staff, with an aim to support the security and long- term future for FVC. We will support our colleagues throughout this difficult time.”
