Perth College tutors say their careers are still in limbo less than a month before the institution’s Perthshire learning centres are due to shutdown.
Perth College UHI bosses announced in March that they intended to close the three bases in Blairgowrie, Kinross and Crieff due to ongoing financial difficulties.
Some classes have already finished. However, tutors say they are still in the dark over their future job prospects.
One leisure tutor, who asked to remain anonymous, said the situation was “unsettling” and “depressing”.
“They are not exactly in a hurry to let us know what is happening. It’s very unsettling,” said the employee.
“There’s still no word on our future despite being called in for individual meetings.
“They keep saying they’re working on it but these centres all close at the end of June.
“Students need to sign up to classes before they can run so we need to know they’re running. But they can’t even tell us if there will even be classes on.
“We would just like a little bit of information. We have nothing concrete, it’s all rumours.
“We go in for meetings and we just get another little spiel about why the learning centres are closing but never any information on if the classes will be running or where.
“We don’t know what’s going on and it’s all very depressing.”
The tutor said some colleagues had already decided to walk away from the college and set up their own classes.
Bosses were previously criticised for leaving staff ill-informed over the decision to go ahead with the learning centre closures.
Speaking in March, when the move was announced, SNP MSP Roseanna Cunningham said: “I am shocked that this decision has been presented as a sort of secretive fait accompli, without any consultation process.
“Staff and students have been kept in the dark and they are axing courses that are not only full but have a waiting list.”
A spokesperson for Perth College UHI said talks were still ongoing with staff.
The spokesperson said: “The College has recently concluded the first series of one to one consultation meetings with staff potentially impacted by the learning centre closures where timescales were discussed.
“Negotiations on alternative locations are being reviewed at this time.
“Once these have been concluded, further staff consultations and proposed solutions will be able to move forward.”
