Further 135 jobs at risk at Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen after voluntary severance scheme

A further 135 jobs are at risk at Robert Gordon University (RGU) in Aberdeen following the voluntary departure of hundreds of staff.

The redundancies at the Aberdeen institution come after 130 staff left in a voluntary severance scheme launched earlier this year in a bid to save money.

RGU informed all staff on Wednesday of the latest developments of its Finance Transformation Project which includes the potential of a further 135 roles being made redundant.

The university said the move is to ensure the “long-term financial sustainability of the institution” against what it described as “significant external challenges”.

All at risk staff will be offered voluntary redundancy and that due to redeployment opportunities, the university does not expect as many as 135 workers to leave as a result of the process.

Professor Steve Olivier, principal and vice-chancellor at Robert Gordon University, said: “Like many universities across the UK, Robert Gordon University (RGU) continues to face significant financial challenges due to a steep drop in international student enrolments, a sustained decline in public funding, and inflationary cost pressures.

“The proposed changes will future-proof RGU as an institution and ensure that we maintain our provision of an excellent student experience while delivering vital social, economic and cultural contributions to the north east and wider nation.

“It’s increasingly important that we continue to act and respond to the external factors to ensure our long-term financial sustainability and mitigate against ongoing sector uncertainty.

“I maintain utmost confidence in the University and our collective future success.”

The University’s Finance Transformation Project began in Autumn last year and is said to be “on track” – achieving around half of its planned savings of £18.8m.

RGU said this had predominantly been achieved by staff taking up the option of voluntary severance through mutually agreed terms.

Savings of more than £4.6m have also been made operationally through various efficiencies.

The collective consultation is due to end on December 20 with individual consultation to commence into the New Year.