SERIOUS funding cuts mean that 1,000 places will be lost on adult courses at Dudley College.

Around 30 jobs are also at risk as a result of the Government withdrawing £1.4 million of funding from August.

The college will now be forced to streamline some of its essential adult training provision in the areas of employability and skills programmes for custodial learners.

Health and social care and early years training delivered in the workplace will also be affected.

Bosses say they are "exceptionally disappointed" that the budget implications will "take away essential learning opportunities for local adults", many of who are already disadvantaged.

They say the reduction in skills development will also impact on the local economy, as much of the training is focused on getting unemployed people back into work and supporting workers to progress their careers.

Staff facing redundancy have entered into a 30 day consultation period and will be advised of their options once the cuts come into force.

College principal Lowell Williams, has vowed to support students through the changes, adding: “Cuts to the adult budget have forced the college to make some difficult choices, and there are no winners in a situation like this. When central government puts us in a position where we have to plan our delivery within a smaller budget allocation we have no option but to reduce the training we offer.

“I’m not sure the funding agency will see the true impact of its cuts as it has no direct contact with those adult learners we’ll be forced to turn away in August because there’s no money to support their learning.

“Two years ago when funding was reduced for level 3 qualifications, an introduction of 24+ Advance Learning Loans offered students the choice to continue studying. Regrettably, a similar loan option hasn’t been introduced during this budget reduction, even though the cuts will affect a larger number of learners."

He continued: “We are currently looking at ways to support adult learners through other funding options. We are advising students to consider 24+ loans if they are eligible and talking to employers about a different strategy to fund those individuals learning in the workplace.

“Impact on staffing is being given careful consideration and we are hopeful that some of the staff affected will be able to take up roles in other areas of the college or through new employment opportunities the college is creating as a result of successful growth in its international work.”