MORE than 100 jobs at University West of Scotland are at risk with staff at Ayr’s campus set to be affected.

It’s understood that the job losses will impact non-academic staff, with around 70-80 members of staff having already taken voluntary redundancy.

Lecturers have also been asked this week to opt in for a similar package, as the University looks to make cuts.

A source at the University has told the Ayr Advertiser how 10 jobs will be axed at the Ayr campus.

The jobs will vary from janitorial, security, cleaning and admin staff.

In Paisley it’s expected that 30 jobs are at risk whilst 70 are at risk in the Hamilton (Lanarkshire) campus spelling a “worrying time” for staff.

University and College Union UWS branch secretary Dr Chris O’Donnell said: “It is a worrying time for university staff with the employer looking to cut jobs and with people seeing their own positions at risk of redundancy.

"It is impossible to cut jobs without affecting the student experience, and UCU is continuing to work to ensure that any cuts are kept to a minimum and that there are no compulsory redundancies.”

The University confirmed that jobs were under review to best support “future success” of the higher education faculty.

A recognised Trade Union agreed with the move to cut staff as part of a business restructure.

A spokesperson for UWS told the Ayr Advertiser: “A review project is currently underway to ensure that our resources are deployed through organisational structures which best support the future success of the University in a changing environment.

"This project is being taken forward in full partnership and in consultation with the recognised Trades Unions, who have acknowledged that there is a need for change.

Through collective consultation with the recognised Trades Unions, new organisational structures have been agreed and individual consultation with staff directly affected by these changes is now underway.”

University declined to say exactly how many staff would lose their jobs but said those affected will be invited to hold talks with bosses.

The spokesperson added: “While there will be a reduction in overall staff costs new roles and opportunities have also been created as part of this process.

"We are currently part way through this process and as such the final number of posts affected is not yet confirmed as the process of individual consultation may still result in changes to the proposed new structures.

“We remain fully committed to mitigating the impact on staff, minimising the number of posts affected as far as possible and to achieving reductions voluntarily wherever possible.

We are also committed to continuing to provide staff with regular and open communications.”