Union boss Angela Moffatt has criticised a move that could result in job losses at University College Isle of Man.

Prospect Union negotiator has said: ’We were given notice of a consultation to cut more front line jobs so it’s a reality.’

She explained to The Examiner that the jobs at threat are catering assistants with seven part-time staff being reduced to five plus a supervisor.

She said the consultation is also looking at ’three lecturers in the hospitality and catering area, a technician, a programme manager, and assistant programme manager and a part time cashier’.

Annie Gill cafe could lose part-time senior education officer and a business development manager.

Ms Moffatt says the Annie Gill cafe losing any support would be a mistake as it provides people with disabilities the chance to gain valuable work experience and develop their skills.

She said there seems to be plans at the college to have the catering side open for longer hours while operation with fewer staff, using students to plug the gaps so as to claim more experience.

Ms Moffatt said it is equivalent to providing ’free labour rather than an education’ and raised doubts with the quality of education that will be provided, as she says it is lowering the quality in the island.

Any lowering of quality in catering training, she says leads to a skills shortage and increases the need for the island to look further abroad to bring in top quality to run Manx kitchens, a move Ms Moffatt called ’outrageous’.

Ms Moffatt asked why there has been no Tynwald consultation on the matter and wonders to what extent the courses will provide value for money.

A joint statement from the departments of Health and Education said: ’Prior to the transfer of UCM catering from DHSC to DESC on March 1, 2018, a joint decision was taken to review the catering outlets within UCM and identify ways of changing how catering operates at the college.

’Consultation with employees and unions has begun to ensure any new operating model meets the needs of the college, students and the visitor economy in the longer term.’

The refectory budget from the public purse at UCM is £106,000 a year.