THERE may be more job losses at a Worcester college amid reports it faces a worsening financial position.

Worcester College of Technology has sent staff a letter asking whether anyone would like to consider voluntary redundancy.

Unions said the request came after a turbulent time for the college with more than 100 jobs lost last year.

It also follows news the college has bought the old Russell and Dorrell building – known as County Mills – for an undisclosed sum.

Nick Varney, regional official for the University and College Union, which represents teaching and lecturing staff, said: “The employer has put out a trawl for voluntary redundancies.

“They say they are suffering (financially). We’ve not had any formal notification about any cuts.”

He also said branch officials were concerned lecturers would lose salaried positions and be replaced with those on casual contracts.

He said: “We’ve had some worrying information that the possible cuts don’t only relate to a financial problem but also relate to the employer’s desire to casualise a lot of teaching staff.

“We would find it extremely worrying as a trade union if heavily qualified teachers should go and be replaced by people on building site-style contracts.”

Steve Brown, of Unison, which represents business support staff at the college, said: “After the past couple of years of cuts they’ve had at the college we were quite disappointed to find out they found it necessary because of budgetary issues to go forward with more redundancies. Staff have taken quite a hit over the past couple of years.

“On the face of it it does seem as if the college hasn’t got any choice but as a union we will try and argue for no compulsary redundancies. Unfortunately it’s all part of the Government’s cuts agenda.

“Cuts are being made in further education, and across the country we’ve got similar situations in other colleges.”

Worcester College of Technology declined to comment.