A COMPANY that helps jobseekers get back into work is to close its Colchester branch.

TBG Learning’s branch based in Portal House, in Southway, will shut in March.

It has been forced to close because a contract with a major funder has ended.

A spokesman yesterday refused to comment on job losses, or the future of TBG Learning’s centres in Carnarvon Road, Clacton and Braintree Road, Witham.

She said students would be able to complete their courses prior to the closure.

She said: “Staff affected by this learning centre closure are being supported through employment workshops to help them secure roles elsewhere and, where possible, are being supported into other opportunities within the organisation.

“TBG Learning will continue to deliver employability programmes and commercial training services across England and Wales.”

TBG Learning, a not-for-profit company, runs 15 centres across the country.

It helps 35,000 unemployed people a year with training and support.

The Colchester branch runs a variety of courses, including construction, hair and beauty, hospitality and catering.

Kerry Riseborough, 19, from Colchester, attended one of the centre’s hair and beauty courses in 2012.

She attended maths and English lessons and was given help writing a CV.

She said: “It was also about the emotional support.

Everyone there was so understanding.

My tutors were really supportive.

“I am shocked it is closing.

It is so good for people, especially people who were troubled at school and didn’t get GCSEs.

“It is such a shame because some people won’t be able to have that help.”

TBG also provided Kerry with the equipment she needed to study.