Archive - Tuesday, 26 February 2002


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Jobs axe falls on e-learning firm

MORE than 100 jobs are to be lost in Nailsworth.

Employees at Xebec McGraw-Hill, Bath Road will face the cuts over the next few months.

The company, which is owned by publishing giant McGraw-Hill, specialises in online training courses taught via internet, intranet and CD ROM.

An employee who did not want to be named spoke to the SNJ about the anger employees had felt on hearing the news.

"The attitude at the company has always been relaxed," he said.

"People were very happy here and consequently they were upset and annoyed to lose their jobs."

Over 40 people have already left the company since December and others will follow as projects are completed.

Online training, known as 'just in time training', although popular in America, has been slower to catch on in the UK.

The decision by McGraw-Hill, who publish computer reference manuals, to withdraw from the e-learning market has saddened employees.

"I don't think the UK is quite ready for e-learning," said the employee.

"It's a shame McGraw-Hill didn't ride out the storm.

"We could have seen it through."

Cllr Sybil Bruce said: "Nailsworth Town Council obviously regrets the loss of any jobs but a major employer with over 100 jobs is going to be a devastating blow to the local economy and the town of Nailsworth."