AROUND 30 staff at Warrington Collegiate are facing redundancy as budget cuts continue to take their toll.

The college confirmed on Tuesday that an estimated 30 redundancies will be made.

Managers, teachers and support staff are expected to go in a seven per cent cut of the workforce.

The University and College Union said that negotiations began last week with staff being asked to consider voluntary redundancy.

It added that job losses were being enforced because the collegiate needs to save £2.2 million from its annual budget.

Redundancy figures will be confirmed when negotiations have concluded.

Principal Paul Hafren said that the college is facing ‘challenging times’ but expects recent successes highlighted by Ofsted to continue.

He said: “Like every further education college and public sector body in the country, Warrington Collegiate has had to respond to the challenges posed by the spending review.

“For 2011/2012 the college has reduced expenditure in both staff and non staff costs but our priority is on maintaining and growing our frontline services to students, employers and communities.

“We have an annual income of £20m so we’re not facing the same challenges that smaller institutions with less economies of scale are facing.

“While these are undoubtedly challenging times there are also many opportunities for Warrington Collegiate to grow and develop in areas including sport, science, apprenticeships, higher education and services to employers.

“The college has recently received a very good inspection report from Ofsted, our applications are up and we are confident we will be even more successful in the future.”