Coleg Gwent has announced that there could be cuts to courses and staffing as it seeks to save £5.7 million. This is a direct result of the £29.9 million funding cuts by the Welsh Government within the FE sector in Wales.

Staff and trade unions have been informed of the proposed cuts and changes to the college's curriculum resulting in most part time college and community courses going from September 2015. The proposals could result in a reduction of up to 130 jobs in the college.

The college is now in a consultation period until 22nd May and will work closely with staff and trade unions to try to avoid compulsory redundancies where possible, which includes seeking requests for voluntary severance.

The college has to save £5.7m because the Welsh Government has reduced funding for part time courses by 50% for 2015 and reduced all other funding by 2.6% at a time of rising costs.

The cuts in funding have a significant impact on courses delivered through the College's Community Education partners and through its own Community Learning Centres, the Learn-ITs. As a result the current proposal includes the closure of both Cwmbran and Monmouth LearnITs.

Full time courses are not directly affected and the College aims to continue to deliver an outstanding, responsive and flexible service whilst meeting the changing demands of the economy.

The Principal, Jim Bennett said: "I appreciate the pressures that the Welsh Government is facing with their own funding being reduced from Westminster, but the real impact of these cuts on learners, jobs, communities and the people of Wales will be very serious."

"These are very large cuts in our funding, and if they continue in the future, even though we are a strong college, the result will be the loss of all part time and adult learning with the exception of a small amount in priority areas such as literacy and numeracy."

"This is devastating for all those adults wanting to reskill, upskill or enhance their career prospects, and to those who need a second chance of a good education.  The effects on our communities, especially the more vulnerable ones, will be felt for a long time."

"This is also upsetting and demoralizing for our staff who provide great teaching and high levels of support to our learners. Staff are clearly shocked and upset by these cuts and we are doing our best to ensure effective communication and consultation with them and the Trade Unions to avoid compulsory redundancies wherever possible."

There are 16 staff potentially affected which equates to 2.5 full time members of staff.

Staff in the proposed roles directly affected will be offered the opportunity for voluntary severance or redeployment. The college is working with staff and the Trade Unions to avoid compulsory redundancies wherever possible.