MOULDING Salisbury College into one of the best centres of learning in the country is top of the agenda for troubleshooting interim principal Ray Dowd.

The Journal has been given exclusive access to a scaled-down version of the centre's approved recovery plan, which pinpoints key areas of improvement.

Mr Dowd was bought in to the Southampton Road campus to help revive the troubled college, after revelations that it had debts totalling more than £1m.

According to the plan, staff cuts, course restructuring and disposal of assets will help save the college about £1.596m.

In total, restructuring senior and middle management will save £450,000, reviewing the current curriculum structure will save a further £627,000 and reducing pay costs associated with business support will save £519,000.

The aim is to bring the college ratio of staff spending in line with the sector norm and reduce expenditure from 77 per cent to 65 per cent.

As reported in last week's Journal, courses with poor enrolment over a number of years will be discontinued and extra resources pumped into subjects where there is more demand, such as in construction and hair and beauty.

An increase in work-based learning enrolments will also take place over the next three years, with numbers increasing to 150 by 2006.

Some 35 per cent of college buildings will be sold off to generate capital, and existing accommodation will be refurbished to improve facilities for students.

Consultants will be appointed for a feasibility study to determine whether core subjects at the college's Tidworth site should be relocated to the main campus for September 2006.

Other key tasks include:

improving teaching and learning, with 63 per cent of sessions observed to achieve top end grades by July next year;

raising achievement levels, with an overall target of 85 per cent by 2005/6;

increasing attention and attendance, with an overall retention target of 87 per cent by 2005/6;

providing staff and management training, so that all full-time staff and 65 per cent of part-time staff are qualified to Further Education National Training Organisation standards.