Castle College Nottingham has pledged to continue to offer high priority education and training despite the announcement of consultation on up to 200 potential job losses. The College faces cuts of more than 10% in its funding for 2010/11, as a result of new Government priorities. In particular, the Government is proposing reductions in funding for adult learners affecting all colleges across the country, with an average cut of 16% nationally to adult learner programmes.

Malcolm Cowgill, Interim Principal at the College, explained: "A great deal of work has already been completed to ensure that provision is maintained for our current as well as our future students and that we address the priority areas identified by the Government. The College will maintain its current breadth and depth in its curriculum profile particularly in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) together with its strong foundation learning programmes. There are two client groups from which we will withdraw provision as funding is transferred to other priorities. These are permanently excluded 14–16 year–old school pupils and learners in Hostels across the conurbation."

"We are also reviewing our accommodation strategy which will allow us to divert resources to support improvements in the quality of our remaining provision. I would like to reassure our current students that they will be able to complete their studies with us. Despite the cuts the College will still be a major provider of further education within the area with a budget of over £30m and we still have a lot to offer the students, employers and communities of the Nottingham conurbation."

The College is working closely with its recognised trade unions to support staff affected. It is hoped that natural wastage, voluntary redundancies and contract reductions will account for a significant part of the savings, but there will potentially be compulsory redundancies.