In July, Cardiff Metropolitan University warned that it would have to make redundancies. This decision is just the latest example of its efforts to address substantial fiscal pressures. Today, the university has an active roster of roughly 1,800 faculty and staff. Expenses are outpacing revenue, forcing the administration to consider eliminating an additional 50 employees.
At Cardiff Metropolitan University, the institution has taken steps to minimize the impact of compulsory redundancies. They recently announced that additional action is necessary. The institution has just announced the closure of its second voluntary severance scheme. This follows an earlier voluntary buyout round where 60 staff members opted to leave. In line with its own restructuring plan, the university expects to lay off between 30 and 50 staff.
Cardiff Metropolitan University currently faces £12 million in cuts. This decision comes at a time when the entire industry is engaged in a discussion about devastating job losses within the workforce. Just last month Cardiff University announced a plan to lay off 400 workers. At the same time, Bangor University and the University of South Wales have been in talks over prospective job cuts. These changes are indicative of a pattern some other institutions of higher education have followed amid the same fiscal storm.
A spokesperson for Cardiff Metropolitan University addressed the situation, stating, “We must still make further reductions to our recurrent cost base and have this week started collective consultation with our recognised trades unions on restructuring proposals.” This line of reasoning serves to bring staff and unions to the conversation about navigating the changes ahead.
As a step toward transparency and open dialogue, the university wants to hear from staff. The spokesperson added, “This consultation will genuinely seek the unions’ and our colleagues’ collective feedback before any proposals are finalised.” They stated, “We are encouraging staff to share their views and access the range of support we have made available during this unsettling and difficult time.”
Next week, Cardiff Metropolitan University plans to share detailed proposals with affected staff members, outlining how the restructuring will unfold. Some of the biggest cost-cutting moves have already been made by the institution. It understands that more is needed to truly put its fiscal house in order.
