46 jobs put at risk at Kingston Maurward College
The college say it's due to the impact of Covid-19.
Last updated 19th Oct 2020
Kingston Maurward College is putting 46 full time and part time jobs at risk because of the impact of COVID-19.
Most of the jobs at risk are administrative and commercial roles relating to weddings, conferences and the Animal Park.
The college says they made a £600,000 deficit last financial year (leading up to July 2020), and would be set to make a similar loss without action this year.
Luke Rake is the College Principal.
He said:
"We're not just an education institution, we're a country estate and as a result of that we have a lot of commercial activity, as well as providing education.
"As a result of Covid and the pandemic a lot of our activities such as music concerts, weddings and visitor attractions have been impacted by restrictions so very sadly we're losing an awful lot of money at this time, and sadly we're going to have to probably make some stuff redundant."
46 members of staff have been put at risk, but it's expected only around 10 of them will be made redundant.
A few members of the teaching staff relating to adult and commercial education are at risk.
Sixth From student numbers have grown dramatically at the college this year, with a rise of over 100 pupils.
But, Mr Rake says with many of it's commercial operations on hold, like conferences and weddings, they need to still make cuts:
"The vast majority of people who have had weddings planned for this calendar year have decided that they want to postpone them so that they can have a bigger party, which we fully understand.
"We're fixing the price so everyone has a secure price and we're moving dates later in the calendar for next year.
"We have about 43 wedding planned for next year so it's going to be really busy year, but the reality is right now the uncertainty for the next six months we don't anticipate large events happening here and so regrettably that does mean we can't carry all of the staff."
He says any jobs that go will be a great loss:
"The thing about Kingston Maurward is that we're a family, we're part of the fabric of Dorset and so anything we do that means that we can't do the things that we like is a challenge for us.
"But, the reality is we have to keep people safe and at the same time we also have to recognise that we are running a financial business that needs to balance the books."