Union welcomes plans for SAC’s future

Union welcomes plans for SAC’s future

The Scottish Agricultural College has today (Friday) announced, after a period of uncertainty over jobs, its transformation plans for the future of the colleges, which have been endorsed by the Minister for Environment and Rural Development, Ross Finnie MSP.



On behalf of over 600 members working at the college, Prospect has welcomed the changes that SAC have made from the Deloitte report, which originally proposed the closure of the Ayr and Aberdeen campuses. In particular, the union welcomes a commitment from the minister to spend £5m to help improve educational facilities in Ayr.

The plan for SAC will enable education functions to still be delivered in both the north and west of Scotland - in the short-term at the Ayr and Craibstone campuses.

Looking to the medium-term, however, the plan proposes long-term partnerships with other educational facilities in the north and west of Scotland and envisages shared facilities. A new veterinary laboratory is also planned for the Ayr site, in addition to existing veterinary services at Craibstone.

"While a total of 50 job losses are proposed, these will be spread over five years. We are confident that they can be achieved through natural wastage," said Chris Finnerty, Prospect negotiator.

"This plan secures the jobs of over 800 employees spread throughout Scotland and puts an end to the uncertainty which has been hanging over their working lives. It is good news for all our members at the colleges but in particular it will bring a period of stability for the next five years for those working in the west of Scotland."

While the Scottish Executive’s strategy for agricultural, biological and related research has yet to be published in its final form, the union is confident that this will not raise any further employment issues for its SAC members.