GRIMSBY Institute staff are being offered voluntary redundancy and job sharing in a bid to make savings.
Changes in funding from central government and other boards means the Institute's grants are about £2 million lower than anticipated – which is happening at further education colleges throughout England.
Underlying economic pressures have also prompted the Grimsby Institute Group to look at making cost savings and examine opportunities for new funding and revenue.
In an effort to avoid compulsory job losses, voluntary redundancy, where appropriate, is being offered, as well as initiatives like job sharing.
The institute's 1,300 employees – which includes a campus in Scarborough and outreach learning centres – were informed this week.
Efficiencies in "non-pay" operations and non-core areas of spending are already being looked at, and staff are encouraged to share ideas. Principal and chief executive Sue Middlehurst said: "This will be a worrying time for our people, but we have made the announcement as soon as we were able to do so.
"This will ensure that our staff are fully consulted and are able to contribute to the process. We already encourage the sharing of best practice and good ideas across the group, so I know that staff will work together to ensure the best outcome is achieved."
The Institute's allocation from the Education Funding Agency, which provides cash for the education of 16 to 19-year-olds, was approximately 20 per cent lower than expected.
This has been experienced across England, with dozens of colleges unhappy at large, unexpected reductions.
As a result, the Institute must look at every aspect of its business, and some changes will impact on staffing.
The group has said that changes will be done with students in mind, and investment in buildings and resources will continue, using reserves and support funding.
Last month, building work began on a £6-million art and design centre, funded by a number of grants. The construction of a new all-purpose sports pitch is also planned.
Apprenticeship frameworks to meet the needs of business and commercially-funded training – both potential areas of growth for the Institute – will be looked at, going forward.
Mrs Middlehurst added: "I can assure current and future students that the quality of our teaching and learning resources will not be affected."
Editor's Comment News from the Grimsby Institute of Further and Higher Education that more efficiencies are needed should come as no real surprise – for this is a situation faced by many publicly funded organisations in the country at the moment. The Institute is certainly not alone when it comes to FE colleges, thanks to the news that such providers will not receive the allocations they were expecting to fund provision for 16 to 19-year-olds. It can only be hoped that the facility, and those like it across the country, can be successful in cutting where necessary without ultimately affecting their offer to the young people, who probably need vocational education and training more now then they ever have done. The Institute is confident that this will be the case. But all of these funding cuts etc do raise the question as to the strategy that is being set by government. Or indeed is there a strategy that provides a long-term vision as to where education is heading? We have sixth form colleges and vocational colleges – in this area, both seem to be doing a good job while on the other hand academies opening up their own post-16 provision – is all of this choice necessary for the student and does it just dilute the offering? Follow the editor on Twitter @michellelalor
