MONMOUTH’s Learn IT Centre will officially close on Friday (31st July) due to the withdrawal of funding by the Welsh Assembly Government.

Run by Coleg Gwent, the college has had to save £5.7m because the Welsh Government has reduced funding for part-time courses by 50 per cent and reduced all other funding by 2.6 per cent.

As part of these cut backs, the Learn IT Centres in both Monmouth and Cwmbran have been shut.

The cuts have resulted in changes to the curriculum resulting in many part time college and community courses going from September 2015.

The college is continuing to fund some adult education provision through the Monmouthshire Adult Education Service in the 2015-16 year and some part-time courses are still available at the college’s business centre and other campuses.

Pam Hales, community education manager, said: “The college is ensuring that learners aren’t disadvantaged by the closure of Cwmbran and Monmouth Learn IT. 

“All learners have been signposted to part-time learning that is offered by Torfaen and Monmouthshire County Councils, both partners of the Gwent ACL Partnership managed by Coleg Gwent.”

Guy Lacey, Coleg Gwent acting principal, said: “It is with deep regret that the college has had to take the decision to close the Monmouth Learn IT and its partner centre in Cwmbran as a result of Government funding cuts.

“The staff at both centres have worked extremely hard to deliver a very successful and valued local community learning service and it is very sad to see that come to an end.

“The college remains committed to doing all it can to deliver and support adult learning throughout Gwent but unfortunately these funding cuts have resulted in significant reductions in the college’s provision and the extent to which we are able to fund the Monmouthshire Adult Education service.’

Full time courses are not directly affected.