STUDENTS training to be electricians through evening classes in Salisbury have been left fuming after it was announced the annual cost of their course would be increased by 45 per cent.

Rich Pulling, 34, from Gomeldon, started the three-year Level 2 Electrotechnical course at Wiltshire College Salisbury in April and paid £465 for the first year.

Along with the other students, he was told the fee shouldn’t increase, but if it did it would only be by £20 or £30 at the most.

But when they went in on Tuesday night, they were told it would be £721 for the second and third years, due to a lack of government funding.

“The reaction of everyone was a lot of jaws hitting the deck,” said Mr Pulling, “and half the class said they couldn’t afford it.

“I can’t afford it. If I can’t come to some arrangement I am going to have to drop out, and they will close the course if it drops below a certain number of people.

“I can see their point, yes, obviously the government has pulled their funding, but that is not my fault.”

Another student on the course, who did not wish to be named, branded the situation ‘outrageous’ and said he felt cheated by the college as all they’d done in the first part was the health and safety exam.

“That £465 we have already paid for the first part has not really got us very much,” he said. “We are in the situation that if we don’t just lump it with this increase, then we can basically write off that money.

“If the price increase happens and people drop out, then the course is not going to exist anyway.”

A spokesman from Wiltshire College said the course was meant to start in January but was delayed until April due to the new training centre being unfinished.

The course was subsequently run over the summer to ensure learners could meet the full requirements of the first year, and they were charged last year’s fee to compensate for the late start.

She said the £721 fee for the second year was the correct rate, based on current guidance on tuition fees.

“We are not aware of any staff stating to learners that the second year course price would be any lower,” she added.

“We appreciate that learners may find it hard to pay their course fees and have arranged that they can pay for the course in phased instalments to help them.”