STUDENTS concerned their courses will be affected by a major shake-up at Stroud College have been reassured their needs will be the first priority.

Students and parents have complained tutor numbers are being slashed and that staff are looking for work elsewhere.

The college is undergoing a major re-structuring to meet the demands of future students.

It is part of a wider plan to increase the capacity of the college and encourage school leavers between the ages of 16 and 18 to take up courses in time for the opening of the proposed multi-million pound college buildings in early 2007.

This means making cut backs in areas where demand from would-be students is no longer high, such as engineering, while providing a boost to increasingly popular areas such as beauty and art.

Departments have been re-jigged so current posts will be scrapped and existing staff have been asked to apply for the new jobs created.

Principal Di Dale said the changes would not be as dramatic as some students feared.

"Every bit of the college has been affected but in reality there will be very few staff who will be unsuccessful in their applications," she said.

"We believe in providing high quality learning and the best possible teaching staff at Stroud."

Bob Hughes, director of services, accepted there would be winners and losers among the staff but said there would not be mass redundancies. He said many employees would benefit from promotion to better posts.

"It will not impact on students," he said. "We're making sure courses continue as planned.

He said there would doubtless be staff who chose to leave but they would be replaced and disruption would be kept to a minimum.

Current courses will be honoured.

"We've sought to reassure students," said Mr Hughes. "But, if we have any worried staff, students or parents they should come and see the management team.

"The college is growing. This restructure is just part of that."