Jobs go as cancelled conferences hit Sheffield training centre

The Source Skills Academy, on Meadowhall Way, is to make 12 redundant from a workforce of 75, mostly from its conferencing facilities and cafe, which will not re-open.

Bosses are warning further redundancies may be necessary if there is further market contraction.

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The not-for-profit training organisation is predicted to make a loss of more than £500,000 by the end of the year and shedding jobs is seen as crucial to its survival.

“It is with great sadness that we have to announce job losses. Our entire business is founded on helping people to build careers,” said CEO Tricia Smith.

“But we have no alternative. Like many employers throughout the country, we have been badly affected by the Government’s national lockdown. We have to future-proof our organisation, a registered charity, for the post Covid world.

“That means ensuring its long-term financial sustainability while maintaining high-quality teaching and ensuring we meet OFSTED requirements.”

Staff will be supported by The Source’s Community and Employability team, she added.

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In recent weeks workers have been returning to the office and management had hoped to recoup conference bookings.

“But local companies are still reluctant to organise group events and that is beyond our control,” said Tricia Smith.

All bookings for July, August and September 2020 have been cancelled and there are ‘very few’ for the remainder of 2020, she added.

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