Jobs threat at college for blind

The jobs affected are not teaching posts

The Royal National College (RNC) for the Blind has notified workers it might cut five jobs in Hereford.

It opened new halls of residence, a floodlit pitch and a therapy and sports centre on its College Road campus in April as part of a £21.5m expansion.

The college, which is due to host the Blind Football World Championships in August, said it was forced to make the cuts after being hit by the recession.

It said the five jobs affected were not teaching posts.

A spokeswoman for the college said three managerial posts were affected, one clerical and one "professional, non-teaching post".

'Necessary moves'

She said the college usually received money from training contracts once students had finished their education and had secured employment.

However, she said that because of the recession fewer companies had been able to take on students and only 10% of trainees this year had been able to find work so far, compared to 40% last year.

Ian Pickford, college principal, added: "These moves are necessary to safeguard the financial security and long-term success of RNC.

"The number of positions affected is relatively modest.

"It is also worth remembering that RNC still remains one of the county's major employers."

The college employs 250 people at its site in Hereford.