Today, I was in touch with my boss from the campus where I used to work. Regular readers will know that I used to work in Education - teacher training (and the hated Psychology area). Apparently, after 5 years of work and bids, the Welsh government has turned down each and every teacher training course that they applied for. Basically, it means that they’ve been axed. There are still courses that need to run on and finish, but no new courses now, and I’m sure, job losses will follow.

I checked the local news sites and can’t find much, except a long article detailing how the so-called merger has made the uni die a slow death with students, as well as businesses, losing out. I’d always said that the new building (I refuse to call it a campus) was soulless, with little or no social activities, and no heart to it. Once classes were over the students, and staff, left the building in droves.
A high-rise block for student accommodation is partly being used as a hotel due to so few students using it. Furthermore, the uni is apparently refusing to issue student numbers under the freedom of information act, citing ‘sensitivity.’ Read into that what you will!

I’ve said for the past few years, that the ‘merger’ was just a way to cherry-pick the best courses and students, and to sell off land and buildings to make a fast buck. Well, plans were submitted in October last year for building work, but it’s all gone quiet, I think, due to local pressure, and the fact that CADW have successfully managed to get a preservation order on some of the buildings. Long may that continue. I’m really pleased that I left the area before they start to tear down unprotected buildings and build houses that will lead to total grid-lock in the area and strain already stretched resources.

I’m so glad that I left when I did, and don’t regret it one little bit though I do miss some of my colleagues, many of whom were very nice people. I feel sad that they possibly face job losses, and hope some will be able to take retirement, and that younger staff will find other jobs. So sad when local government forces through changes that do not benefit an area, nor the staff involved. I’m grateful that I’m well out of it.