Disappointment for locals after £140m scheme to reduce flaring at Mossmorran delayed until 2021.

Management recruitment decision by bosses at Fair City institution under fire from staff fearing the worst after swingeing job cuts announced last year as part of cost-saving

We are appalled that the college deems it necessary to instate further managers to an already top-heavy... structure.

LECTURERS’ SPOKESMAN

Perth College lecturers have criticised their bosses’ decision to recruit for management posts during a staffing crisis.

The Fair City institution announced swingeing job cuts in October, as part of a cost-saving drive.

An estimated 21 people are expected to be made redundant as the college grapples with a £600,000 budget shortfall.

Now a group of lecturers has questioned why middle management posts are being filled, while other staff continue to face uncertainty.

They worry that this will have an impact on students, with a marked loss of lecturer contact time.

A spokesman for the disgruntled, anonymous group said a plan had been produced to reduce costs, which would have led to fewer management positions.

“This would result in redundancies for staff, but the proposed reduction in managers was welcomed as both the college and University of Highlands and Islands in general have an incredibly top heavy structure where there are far too many managers,” he said.

“What has now transpired at Perth College is nothing short of scandalous.

Even more middle managers are being put in place while lecturers and frontline staff fear for their jobs.

“At these difficult times, when the college is running at a massive deficit, more managers and bureaucracy is the last thing we need.

“Lecturer contact time with students has already been reduced.

“We are appalled that the college deems it necessary to instate further managers to an already top-heavy management structure, and we have no clarity on how this will impact on the proposed restructuring and redundancies – especially as this is now an increase in managers compared to the restructuring plan that was announced by management last year.

“We fear the effect on the students.” A college spokeswoman responded: “Perth College UHI recently issued internal advertisements to permanently fill academic management vacancies that have been covered on an interim basis to ensure the continued quality of our student experience.

“A robust process is in place to ensure appointments for all roles are necessary, fair and transparent.

“In the case of key senior management appointments, an additional level of external recruitment consultancy support is implemented to ensure the best candidate is appointed to these roles. Contact with our students remains a priority for us.

“Despite lockdown, our lecturers and professional services staff continued to engage with our students through blended approaches to ensure they could successfully continue their learning.

“We recognise that the college sector is experiencing significant financial challenges which have been heightened due to Covid-19, resulting in the need for Perth College management and board to make difficult future decisions to maintain our continued financial sustainability.”