COLLEGE bosses are working with unions to minimise redundancies caused by £1.1million in grant reductions.

Blackburn College is reviewing staff levels after the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) proposed cuts in money for adult learning courses, due to be confirmed next month.

Negotiations cover many areas of expenditure, from staff numbers to pay, hours and services.

Principal Ian Clinton said: "The college is working hard to tackle these financial challenges through its normal business planning processes and is in discussion with unions via its Joint Consultative Committee as well as keeping staff fully informed directly. As part of this process the college aims to minimise staff redundancies.

"We are proposing changes which minimise disruption to the vast majority of our staff and students. We expect that the many new posts in growth areas will help to reshape the college and ensure that it is well placed to meet the education and training needs of the regional economy.

"We want to reflect the fact that staff at the college are doing excellent work and supporting the success of our students."

New posts are also being created, particularly in higher education, where Blackburn College's East Lancashire Institute of Higher Education continues to see strong growth in student numbers and additional funds to support this.