COLLEGE FUNDING FIASCO; Teens facing course cuts.

Byline: BEN TURNER 

HUNDREDS of Merseyside teenagers could be turned away from courses designed to be a stepping stone into work due to a funding "fiasco".

And today Merseyside sixth-form and further education providers said they could not rule out cutting A-level and other provision if the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) fails to find funds earmarked for them.

The government quango sent out what it admitted was a "misleading" letter to education heads suggesting extra cash would be available to help more teenagers stay in education and training beyond 16.

But after failing to secure the extra government cash the LSC informed providers it was effectively cut ting the expected budgets.

It admitted it mistakenly said the annual allocations were "final" rather than "provisional" sums.

College and school bosses are now nervously sweating to see if the LSC can find the extra cash.

Today Liverpool providers of entry to employment (e2e) courses designed to help students not in work, education or training said if the cash is not forthcoming existing students may not be able to finish courses in subjects ranging from numeracy and literacy to dance and others would be turned away.

Neil Francom, admin manager of Walton's Oakfield

College which also subcontracts funds for seven other e2e providers in the city said he was hopeful the LSCwould find the cash.

But he added: "It is a struggle and we might have to turn learners away if we can't afford teachers for them. The money ran out from April and we risk having to ask students to leave whose courses are not complete." Bootle-based Millington's Dance Academy offers a successful 28-week entry to employment course for students at risk of dropping off the education or jobs ladder.

Administration director Ken Orme said: "It is a fiasco. We have been told to recruit and the government want us to engage with young people but now face not being able to take on those who want to start." Sixth-form and HE colleges are urging students to continue applying for places - saying they hoped to avoid any cuts.

They include vice principal at Southport College Ian Swift who said the LSC mix-up potentially meant "ourselves and other colleges are left with unfunded students".

He said the college may have to look at reducing running costs to meet any shortfall.

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