More jobs are being lost at North West Kent College’s campuses due to a cut in government funding, its principal has announced.

Around 35 to 40 posts are believed to be under threat after the college which has two campuses in Gravesend and Dartford, revealed it had to make savings for this academic year.

Although some staff in the support and commercial training areas of the college face losing their jobs, some may be able to apply for positions in other parts of the campuses.

The last job losses come after 65 people lost their jobs in September 2011, when it was announced it had to make £3 million in savings, again as a result of government cuts.

The college, which has campuses in Lower Higham Road, and Oakfield Road, provides further education for about 4,000 students, also said it was creating a number of new roles at the sites, including more lecturers.

“We’re working closely with staff whose posts are being cut and are encouraging those affected to apply for positions in other parts of the college" - principal David Gleed

David Gleed, principal, said: “Unfortunately, like many organisations within the public sector, North West Kent College is faced with a reduction in government funding leading into the 2013-14 academic year.

"Therefore, regrettably, in order to address this issue, we’ve had to make some positions redundant primarily within the support and commercial training areas but at the same time creating a number of new positions.

“These changes will not impact on the delivery of the planned curriculum for 2013-14 as we are looking forward to expanding our range of courses on both sites to meet student demand.

“We’re working closely with staff whose posts are being cut and are encouraging those affected to apply for positions in other parts of the college.

“We are giving all our staff as much help, information and support as possible.

“We received great news this week from the Skills Funding Agency that North West Kent College is ranked as the 12th Best Performing College in England and we look forward to continuing to deliver this standard of service to our students going forward.

“There will be a net reduction of a maximum of 48 posts although this net figure could be as low as 35-40, as the Curriculum Plans are currently showing a need for additional lecturing staff for September.”

The Unite union was contacted to comment, and we are awaiting a response.