Education

Welsh Unis in crisis

Published

8 years ago

June 9, 2017

170 jobs could go: Bangor University • Pic: Denis Egan

A FURTHER Welsh University has revealed that it faces a financial crisis.

Bangor University has followed Aberystwyth, UWTSD, The University of South Wales, and Cardiff Met in announcing that it is seeking massive staff redundancies and will cut courses.

The University says it has suffered funding cuts totalling £8.5m since 2016 and faces ‘significant financial issues’.

Up to 170 jobs could go as the University seeks voluntary redundancies.

Reacting to the news that 170 jobs are threatened at Bangor University and staff are being asked to take a pay cut, Geoff Edkins, UNISON organiser said: “University staff are alarmed at the apparent state of Bangor University’s finances. They are angry that management of the university has put their jobs at risk and threatened their families’ livelihoods.

“We must protect the quality and breadth of student learning and support at the university and UNISON doesn’t see how the university’s proposals will do that. At best, the financial strategy of Bangor appears unrealistic.

“We will work with the university to seek to plug the gap in finances. One idea the trade unions have put forward is to sell the grace-and-favour property bought for the Vice Chancellor and which is scarcely used. We believe this could net the university one million pounds straight away.

“Staff are due to meet to consider the university’s proposals and we believe they will be thrown out. If implemented, they would force staff who are already low paid, into poverty.

“Faced with that, it is obvious many would choose to leave and the experience and dedication of hard-working employees would be lost forever. UNISON will be seeking a commitment for the lowest paid to be afforded the maximum protection.”

Wales’ higher education sector has come under increasing pressure, largely as a result of spending cuts and overcapacity within the system. In addition, the number of overseas students coming to study in Wales has declined, with a particularly sharp decline in students coming from the EU following the Brexit vote.

However, the problem of University cuts does not only affect the higher education sector. The closure of Lampeter University was judged to have the potential for such an adverse impact on the local economy that it was rolled up in to the University of Wales Trinity Saint David in order to prevent economic fallout. In Bangor, the knock on effect of job losses and a continuing decline in student enrolment could have a severe impact on the wider area’s economy and also upon scientific research across the UK.

Education

Milestone for Welsh Education in Pembrokeshire as Ysgol Gymraeg Bro opened

Published

17 hours ago

January 30, 2025

Tom Sinclair

EDUCATION Cabinet Secretary Lynne Neagle MS has officially opened Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Penfro, a new £13.9 million Welsh-medium primary school in Pembroke.

The state-of-the-art facility, designed for pupils aged three to 11, was funded through the Welsh Government’s Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme, alongside the Welsh Medium Capital Grant, the Childcare Offer Capital Grant, and Pembrokeshire County Council.

Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Penfro welcomed its first pupils last September and currently has 148 children enrolled. The development includes:

A 33-place full-day childcare provision available year-round

A 30-place nursery

A 210-place primary school

The Cabinet Secretary was greeted at the school today (Thursday, January 30) by Cllr Steve Alderman, Chairman of Pembrokeshire County Council, and Executive Headteacher Dafydd Hughes.

Mr Hughes said the investment from the Welsh Government and Pembrokeshire County Council had created an outstanding educational facility. He described it as “an exciting new chapter for Welsh-medium education in Pembrokeshire, following in the footsteps of Ysgol Hafan y Môr in Tenby and Ysgol Caer Elen in Haverfordwest.”

Before unveiling a plaque to mark the occasion, Lynne Neagle told pupils: “It is a privilege to officially open this fantastic new school and see first-hand how it will empower the learners at Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Penfro, as well as providing Flying Start childcare.

“This investment, through the Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme, reflects our commitment to Welsh-medium education and meeting the Cymraeg 2050 targets. I’m grateful to Pembrokeshire County Council and everyone who has helped make this remarkable facility a reality.”

The Minister later toured the school, seeing the new facilities in action.

Cllr Guy Woodham, Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Education and the Welsh Language, said the new school marked a significant step forward in the Council’s Welsh in Education Strategic Plan (WESP).

“This is yet another historic day for the Welsh language in Pembrokeshire,” he said. “The opening of a brand-new Welsh-medium school to serve the south-west of the county is a hugely significant milestone and a fitting tribute to the strong foundations laid by the former Welsh stream of Ysgol Gelli Aur / Golden Grove School.

“Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Penfro demonstrates that the status of the Welsh language is being fully supported by Pembrokeshire County Council, and my sincere congratulations go to all those who have worked to make this possible.”

The main contractors for the project were Morgan Sindall Construction & Infrastructure Ltd.

Education

Future Jobs Wales expands with new career insights

Published

2 days ago

January 29, 2025

Tom Sinclair

CAREERS Wales has launched updates to its Future Jobs Wales resource, expanding its real-time job market data to include nine new sectors.

The online tool provides up-to-date labour market information (LMI) for industries and regions across Wales, helping individuals make informed career decisions.

Through an interactive webpage, users can explore industry trends, in-demand skills, and key employers. The platform also allows users to compare job market data at local, Welsh, and UK levels.

The newly added sectors include:

Digital
Care
Creative arts, media and culture
Retail and customer service
Manufacturing
Education
Agriculture and land
Tourism, hospitality, sport and leisure
Public services

Users can access insights such as:

Industry growth or decline projections
Employment figures within each sector
Salary expectations
Jobs currently in demand and future projections
Skills required for different roles

Emma Blandon, head of digital and communications at Careers Wales, said: “We’re thrilled to have further expanded our Future Jobs Wales resource.

“Information around job trends and future demand can be hugely empowering for those planning their next steps. By delivering up-to-date LMI, this tool helps individuals make informed decisions, identify opportunities, and navigate the evolving job market with confidence.

“Whether you’re starting your career, looking to upskill, or planning your next move, this resource is an invaluable asset for building a brighter future.”

For more information or to access Future Jobs Wales, visit the Careers Wales website.

Education

Wales’ ‘best’ nursing college earmarked for closure in sweeping cuts

Published

2 days ago

January 28, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Cardiff University nursing school at risk

THE PRESTIGIOUS Nursing School at Cardiff University, ranked the best in Wales and fifth in the UK by the Complete University Guide 2023, faces potential closure as part of a major restructuring plan. The university has announced proposals to cut 400 jobs, discontinue several degree programmes, and possibly shut down academic schools, including nursing, modern languages, music, ancient history, translation, religion, and theology. These changes are subject to a 90-day consultation period.

The news has sent shockwaves through the academic and healthcare communities, with staff and students expressing outrage and concern.

Unions and government respond

University and College Union (UCU) representative Andy Williams described the scale of the proposed cuts as “devastating,” warning of their impact on the university, the city of Cardiff, and the wider region.

A Welsh Government spokesperson echoed these concerns, expressing disappointment that nursing courses could be discontinued. They stressed the importance of collaboration between Cardiff University, trade unions, staff, and students to address the challenges posed by these restructuring plans. The government is particularly concerned about sustaining the pipeline of trained nurses in Wales and is working with Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW) to respond to the situation.

Impact on healthcare

Helen Whyley, Executive Director for Wales at the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), criticised the proposed closure, highlighting the severe nursing shortages already affecting Wales. She noted that Cardiff University’s Nursing School plays a vital role in producing skilled nurses who serve communities across the region. “This decision could undermine efforts to address critical staffing challenges in the healthcare sector,” she said.

RCN Wales has vowed to respond formally to the consultation process, advocating for the preservation of nursing education in Wales. The union has warned that closing the school would have far-reaching implications for the profession, healthcare infrastructure, and local communities.

Future of nursing at risk

The proposed cuts have sparked widespread concern, with stakeholders questioning the long-term impact on Wales’ healthcare system. As consultations continue, the future of Cardiff University’s Nursing School remains uncertain. The decision could significantly disrupt the nursing workforce, potentially leaving Wales ill-equipped to address the growing demands on its healthcare services.

This decision comes at a time of financial strain for higher education institutions, with Cardiff University citing budgetary pressures as the reason for the proposed changes. Critics argue that the closure of such a highly regarded institution would damage not only the university’s reputation but also the healthcare landscape across Wales.

Stakeholders await outcome

The potential closure has prompted calls for swift action to protect the future of nursing education in Wales. As consultations progress, unions, students, and healthcare leaders are urging Cardiff University to reconsider the plans.

The Herald will continue to monitor this developing story, providing updates on the implications of these cuts for Cardiff University, Wales’ nursing workforce, and the broader healthcare sector.