Government training review could leave students 'high and dry'

The union was responding to the release of new guidance for the area reviews, which sets out a vision of fewer, larger colleges with a greater specialisation on professional and technical education. Today's guidance revealed that Greater Manchester and Sheffield City Region are the next areas to be reviewed. The government had already announced a review of provision in Birmingham and Solihull.

UCU warned that the focus on matching further education provision with local economic priorities could only lead to a narrower curriculum and fewer options for students. The union added that colleges have already sustained huge budget cuts and needed stable investment to help people fulfil their potential.

UCU general secretary, Sally Hunt, said: 'Further education has already been hit with huge cuts in recent years and there are further threats on the horizon. Our colleges should be focussing their energy and resources on delivering the best education for students, not deciding which course or campus to cut next.

'A relentless focus on rationalisation and efficiency can only lead to a narrower curriculum and risks leaving many students high and dry if their aspirations don't match local economic priorities. Colleges need stable investment to continue to help people of all backgrounds fulfil their potential.'