UP TO 70 full-time jobs are at risk at South Gloucestershire and Stroud College (SGS).

As well as its base in Stratford Road in Stroud, the college has two other campuses in Filton and Bristol – and it is not yet clear where the jobs will be cut as a consultation is under way.

According to a spokesman at SGS, 70 staff posts are in danger because of £3 million worth of government cuts.

It is understood that the budgets are to be slashed for adult learning and full-time courses for 18-year-olds.

SGS College has begun consultation period with staff across academic and corporate areas in response to the funding cut news.

The college currently employs just under 1,000 staff across the sites in Stroud, Filton and Bristol.

Kevin Hamblin, principal and chief executive of SGS, said: “Obviously this is a difficult time for the staff involved with the college’s reorganisation.

“It is not something we want to do and our aim will be to redeploy as many staff as possible.

“However, for those for whom no internal opportunities exist, our focus will be on helping them to find alternative employment outside of the college.”

The college said it is not planning to close any full-time courses and most part-time courses will run as planned next year.

Mr Hamblin told the SNJ: “Our main focus continues to be to our learners and ensuring that the provision, which we deliver, remains high quality and relevant, giving them the best chances to succeed when they leave.

“To deliver this, we need to reduce our costs in line with the reduction in funding to maintain solvency.

“We will continue to look at growing priority areas, including apprenticeships and employer-led training provision.”

SGS has stressed that the cuts in staffing will not have any impact on the levels of growth in courses for full-time 16 to 18-year-olds.

The college remains fully committed to the planned £30m redevelopment of the Gloucestershire Science and Technology Park at Berkeley.

In January SGS College revealed that it was preparing to take over the management of Forest Academy in Cinderford.

The college, a product of a merger between the former Filton and Stroud colleges in 2012, took over the management from their previous sponsor E-ACT.

In August 2014, the SNJ reported that SGS College received funding for a new campus at the former Berkeley nuclear power station.

The Gloucestershire Renewable Energy, Engineering and Nuclear project had been awarded £5m from the government as the first phase of a £40m development.

Berkeley Green UTC was backed by Stroud MP Neil Carmichael and the funding was matched by £5m from the college to develop an engineering and technology campus.

  • For updates on this story, visit stroudnewsandjournal.co.uk where you can have your say on the proposed job losses.