25 jobs to go in Tipton as Doosan Babcock cuts UK workforce

A total of 25 jobs will be axed at the company's training centre on Birmingham New Road, where apprentice welders are taught their trade.

Other Doosan UK sites are in Newcastle, Renfrew in Scotland, Cumbria, Yorkshire, Bristol and Crawley.

The company employs around 3,800 people across the UK and said the bulk of the positions affected are in management, back-office support services and at the machining and assembly facility in Renfrew, which is to close.

A total of 470 jobs are at risk and a consultation has started with affected staff.

Doosan said 800 people are employed at its Renfrew site with 270 of the workforce to be involved in the consultation process, 40 of whom are employed in the machining and assembly facility.

A spokesman said the Renfrew facility will continue to focus on areas such as thermal, nuclear, renewables and asset integrity management.

Doosan, which provides services to the energy, pharmaceutical and petrochemical sectors, said it foresees a "long-term downturn in certain market sectors which mean the current position is unsustainable".

Chief executive Andrew Hunt said: "Over the last year we have worked hard to rebalance the business, adapting to changing market dynamics and reacting to industry requirements for a low-carbon future.

"Unfortunately, we foresee long-term downturn in certain market sectors which mean the current position is unsustainable.

"It is with much regret that we now have to enter into the statutory consultation period on redundancies.

"This is particularly difficult for a company which places great importance on staff development and we will do our utmost to support our colleagues during this period of change.

"The continued long-term growth of the business across the UK and in strategic international markets remains a priority.

"We have made significant progress in transforming and future-proofing the business but this will only prove successful if we also reduce our cost base in parallel.

"Until the consultation period has concluded it would be inappropriate to provide further comment."

Unite regional officer Alison MacLean said: "We are angered and dismayed that the company has started a consultation with virtually no notice to the union and without giving a clear breakdown of where it wants to make changes.

"Pushing ahead with this consultation at this time of this year is particularly distressing for our members.

"We will be seeking an early meeting with the company to get the information our members need and to ensure that their employment rights are fully protected."