THE potential merger of two colleges could put up to 50 jobs at risk of redundancy, the Star has learned.

The link up between St Helens College and Knowsley Community College would see the institutions cater for more than 11,000 students.

However, it could result in 50 redundancies, with 10 roles in management positions and 40 in business support areas believed to be under threat.

The job losses could happen in two phases, by the end of July 2017 and July 2018, but individual consultation would only take place from March 8 if the merger becomes effective.

Jette Burford, principal at St Helens College and Anne Pryer, principal at Knowsley Community College, said: “It is anticipated that the merger will allow for significant cost efficiencies and savings within management levels and business support functions.

“Unfortunately, a small number of redundancies will come as a result of restructuring teams across both institutions to achieve more efficient ways of working following the centralisation of some services.

“We have opened an enhanced voluntary redundancy scheme, and expect a significant proportion of the required savings will come from this scheme.

“We do not expect any losses in teaching staff, and there will be no impact on the range and quality of our provision.”

The merger would see Knowsley Community College’s assets transferred to St Helens College and the new combined further education institution having an income of around £38 million, while each college would keep its separate name and branding.

In a statement, Tony Caffery, Unison North West regional organiser, said: “Unison is meeting regularly with the management of the St Helens and Knowsley colleges and we will be doing all we can to avoid compulsory redundancies.

“The number of proposed redundancies is significant, but Unison will continue to work hard to protect our members during this worrying time.

“The decision to merge the St Helens and Knowsley colleges was made as part of the government’s Further Education Area Review and was made without any trade union involvement.

“The proposed redundancies are a consequence of this decision to merge colleges.

“In future, the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority will play a major role in shaping further education across Merseyside and it is important that they properly engage unions, staff and the public on future FE provision.”

Governors of the colleges have suggested a merger will offer “excellent financial resilience and provide stability for the future for both staff and students”.