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A trade union official has hailed “positive talks” with Coleg Gwent amid talk of potential redundancies.

The college, which has a campus in Crosskeys, is facing what it describes as “significant financial challenges”.

It had not ruled out compulsory redundancies, but said this would be the “very last resort”.

The college is currently consulting proposed cuts, and potential redundancies, with the University and College Union (UCU) Cymru – which is opposed to redundancies.

However, Gareth Lloyd, Wales officer for UCU Cymru, was optimistic following talks with the college on Friday April 11.

Mr Lloyd told Caerphilly Observer: “There’s been positive talks between the employer and the UCU Coleg Gwent branch.”

However, Mr Lloyd is still waiting on the college’s decision.

“We’re expecting an update after the Easter holiday, but we’re hopeful for positive news,” he added.

The college, which also has campuses in Cwmbran, Ebbw Vale, Newport, and Usk, has not said how many jobs could potentially be at risk – but it has been previously reported as many as 100 members of teaching staff were at risk of redundancy.

“These are just proposals”

Prior to the latest round of talks with the UCU, a spokesperson for Coleg Gwent told Caerphilly Observer: “To balance the college’s long-term financial sustainability and the need to deliver an excellent learner experience that meets the changing needs of our learners, we are undertaking a strategic review of the college’s operations.

“Working closely with our trade unions, a formal consultation period has started, and we are exploring a range of proposals covering both business support functions and curriculum delivery.”

The consultation period is set to end on May 2.

The college spokesperson continued: “It is important to stress that at this stage, these are just proposals subject to an ongoing 45-day consultation; therefore, we cannot confirm the number of jobs that may be at risk.

“It is our aim to avoid compulsory redundancies, and this would be considered as the very last resort.”

The spokesperson added: “We are very conscious that this will be a challenging period for staff and are committed to engaging with colleagues and union representatives openly and transparently.

“Despite these challenges, we remain dedicated to offering outstanding educational opportunities for our students.”