ASPIRING chef Shane Tarr could be left with just half a qualification to get a foot on the ladder to his chosen career because funding cuts are threatening the future of his college course. The 17-year-old from Williton is about to complete his first year on a NVQ hospitality and catering course at the Somerset College of Arts and Technology in Taunton. But a nationwide reduction in the money colleges receive from the Government-funded Learning and Skills Council means SCAT is facing a £1 million shortfall, forcing it to axe 45 full-time jobs and a number of adult learning courses. And Shane, pictured, who has dreamt of becoming a chef since serving up his first roast dinner to his family at the age of 13, could be one of the casualties. His tutors have already told him and his fellow students - including four others from the West Somerset area - that they are among those at risk of being made redundant. But the students will not know if they will be able to return to SCAT in September to complete their studies until July 8 at the earliest and possibly as late as July 23, after unions representing the 'at risk' tutors asked this week for more time for consultation over the job losses. The delay has left Shane in limbo, not least because he should have confirmed his place on transport from Williton to Taunton for the coming academic year this week. "We are all absolutely distraught about this," he said. "It's gutting. The college has said it will try to find us places on alternative courses elsewhere but that would be in Yeovil or Barnstaple. "I just couldn't get there on a daily basis and I can't afford to live away from home. "The only other alternative that is being suggested is for us to try and get an apprenticeship, but I still need to live at home and in West Somerset the choice of restaurants is limited because it's mainly pubs. "I desperately want to work in a proper restaurant," said Shane, who counts top chef Gary Rhodes among his culinary heroes. The determined teenager has already written to West Somerset's MP Ian Liddell-Grainger and newly elected Taunton MP Jeremy Browne to rally their support ahead of a crucial debate on the future of adult education in the House of Commons on Tuesday. He is also involved in a petition, launched by students on his course alone, which already has more than 100 signatures. "I feel sorry for those staff who are going to lose their jobs but I just think it is shocking that I and other students can be left in this situation. "Our whole future is at stake." A spokesman for SCAT said the current situation was appalling for both staff and students but was beyond its control. She said the college had joined a national campaign to protect adult learning, which with many other adult learning providers across the country, was only told verbally of the swingeing cuts on April 29, with official confirmation coming after the General Election at the beginning of May. It is now focusing its attention on helping to bring pressure on the Government to address the funding dilemma. The cuts follow an apparent overspend by the LSC and its decision to focus its money and efforts on 16 to 18-year-olds, largely those without basic skills. In deciding where SCAT will wield the axe, the spokesman said the college was having to adopt a business approach, looking among other things, at the quality of courses and the priority areas outlined by the LSC. She said it had been left with very little time either to influence the Government as part of the national campaign or to deal with impact on the college. "No decisions on any courses have been taken as yet and we obviously want to be able to tell people what is happening as soon as possible." Alison Scott, SCAT's principal and chief executive said: "We are doing all we can to protect provision as we value every student in the community." Although adult learning courses are also provided by Somerset County Council at centres in Minehead, Williton and Dulverton, area manager Paula Hobbs told the Free Press yesterday (Thursday) that as far as she was aware, the courses advertised would be going ahead as planned. "We do receive funding from the LSC but we're hoping to run everything that has been advertised in our brochure, which has just gone out. "The only thing that will prevent courses running will be a lack of learners." Mr Liddell-Grainger, who intends to take part in Tuesday's debate, said Bridgwater College, which also takes many students from the West Somerset area, was facing similar problems. He said he and other MPs had asked for a meeting with the Minister responsible. "MPs across the country are up in arms about this. I would like to hear from any of my constituents in West Somerset who are affected."
