In light of the comments by The University and Colleges Union reported on the Worksop Guardian website on June 25, I wish to address some key points.

It is with regret that North Nottinghamshire College is currently in consultation over potential redundancies which are as a direct result of the recession and cuts in public sector funding.

I have informed staff that up to 16 jobs may be at risk. These proposals are obviously extremely upsetting for those at risk, and have not been put forward without recognising the impact on those individuals and their families, and we will obviously be exploring all options for redeployment and voluntary redundancy, to minimise any compulsory job losses.

However, contrary to suggestions attributed on your website to UCU, I must stress that no students will be affected by these proposals, and we fully expect to be able to meet the demand for places on courses in September from school leavers and returning students. No students will be refused a place if they meet the College's entry requirements for the course offered.

This College employs nearly 600 staff and enrols over 1,500 16-18 year olds each year, together with around 5,000 adults. It is the largest apprenticeship provider locally, but a significant number of apprentices training at the College have been made redundant in the last year from jobs in local building and engineering firms suffering the effects of the recession.

The College is also having to react to recently announced cuts in Government funding for the national flagship Train to Gain programme, which provides skills training in the workplace for employers. Following an enormous increase in demand nationally, funding is now under severe pressure for next year.

It is very disappointing to have to consider cutting jobs in training and education which are so vital to supporting the economic recovery, when it does come. I am concerned that we will find it increasingly difficult to fund all of the skills training needs of employers, just at a time when their own training budgets will be coming under severe

pressure because of the recession. We will therefore be focussing our reduced Train to Gain funding primarily on support for local firms and local employment.

The consultation regarding redundancies is therefore a measured and necessary response to the funding cuts, and the downturn in demand for some courses as a result of students recognising the difficulties in finding employment in the harder hit areas of the economy.

We are working closely with a number of key local employers to grow the number of apprenticeship opportunities for young people in other sectors, and we will be ready to respond positively to the upturn when it arrives.