EXCLUSIVE

Scores of MidKent College staff are facing the chop as bosses attempt to plug a £4.3m black hole in its finances.

The further education college plans to cut 67 full-time jobs across its sites by September.

About 12 per cent of the workforce is expected to go at campuses in Prince Arthur Road, Gillingham, Tonbridge Road, Maidstone and at Chatham Maritime where the college uses university facilities.

College bosses are tightening its purse strings as they bid to save £2.5m this academic year to stem a predicted £4.3m deficit by 2014.

The college will accept early retirement, hopes some of its 576 full-time staff will opt to reduce their hours or job-share and will offer incentives to those who take voluntary redundancy.

It is not yet clear where the axe will fall, but bosses aim to make cuts to departments where success rates are poor or student numbers low.

They intend to make more cuts to management and back-office staff than frontline workers, such as teachers.

Principal Stephen Grix admitted the cuts will be “difficult and painful”.

In a presentation to staff on Monday, seen by the Messenger, he said: “We deeply regret the course of action being taken and we are committed to doing everything possible to support staff who are affected.”

MidKent intends to make cost reductions of £2.5m this year rather than sustained cuts over the next four.

It is hoped the remaining £1.8m shortfall will be met through “natural wastage” without the need for further compulsory redundancies.

This will be helped by 15 staff due to retire by next August and 18 staff who are on fixed-term contracts or agency workers, who will be let go. The college has introduced an recruitment freeze, but ruled out pay cuts.

Mr Grix said: “MidKent College is not unique in facing a budget reduction and job losses. We are in a much better position than the average further-education college, but it will still be very challenging.

“The level of reduction in public expenditure is unprecedented. We need to reshape the college to guarantee our success. I do recognise that what we are proposing will be difficult and painful. However, it will mean that the college is back on a stable financial footing.”