College staff vote to strike over job cuts threat

Staff at the University of Sheffield International College (USIC) have voted to strike over proposed job cuts.

A total of 36 staff are at risk of redundancy, with private operator Study Group citing falling student numbers.

Members of the University and College Union (UCU) voted in favour of the action, with a turnout rate of 72%. All of those taking part backed the action, the union said.

Sam Morecroft, UCU branch chair, said: "It is clear these redundancies have nothing to do with falling student numbers and everything to do with an attempt to force an untested standardised operating model on our college."

Mr Morecroft said if the job cuts in the student support and academic teaching teams went ahead it would "increase staff workload and reduce the quality of academic and pastoral support our students receive".

Study Group recently signed a new 10-year contract with the University of Sheffield to run USIC.

The organisation enrols students from around the world to improve their English and provide preparation courses for those who want to go on and study at the University of Sheffield itself.

Courses can cost up to £26,000 per year.

A Study Group spokesperson said they were committed to providing an "excellent education" but changes in international recruitment meant they had to "adapt" staff numbers.

"We very much regret UCU members at Sheffield International College have made this decision, especially after months of active engagement to try to avoid such an outcome, to a point where compulsory redundancies have been minimised," the spokesperson added.

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