CONSULTATION has started on a proposed new staffing structure for the International Business School and Isle of Man College.
The Department of Education and Children announced in October that higher education would be brought under a single management structure.
It has announced that 18 posts – 15.45 full-time equivalent – could be affected by the proposals and, in some cases, may not be required under the new structure.
A department spokesman said: ‘There are various opportunities for redeployment and it is hoped to avoid redundancies as far as possible.
‘The proposed structure as it impacts on staff presently based at the International Business School details 17 potentially available posts (14.9 full-time equivalent, which is a reduction of 0.55 full-time equivalent from the staffing level at the International Business School as at January 2012.’
Staff and unions have until January 13, 2012, to submit their views and comments on the proposed structure and job descriptions. It is proposed that the finalised staffing structure for the merged institution will be implemented with effect from July 1, 2012.
The department believes the proposed staffing structure ‘meets future higher education, further education and vocational development needs while also ensuring financial savings’.
The merged institution will be entitled the Isle of Man College of Further and Higher Education and the International Business School site will become known as the University Campus.
The spokesman said considerable work had also been undertaken in securing arrangements with the Isle of Man College’s academic partners and students currently on higher education courses will be unhampered by the merger.
Former education minister Eddie Teare MHK previously said it was ‘inconsistent’ to have two higher education establishments offering degree courses, and that the change would enable savings to be made in areas such as administration, marketing, and software licensing fees.
He said there was an opportunity to make the change following the resignation of IBS director Professor Gerald Watts, who was suspended on full pay earlier this year.
An inquiry was being conducted into how the school, based at The Nunnery, in Douglas, came to face a potential budget overspend of almost £320,000.
It was dropped following Mr Watts’ resignation.
