Jobless to benefit from grants for college education

The cash will cover the costs of tuition, accommodation and childcare for those wishing to gain qualifications in order to return to work but who may normally find it difficult to stick to the structure of most traditional forms of learning.

Northern College, based at Wentworth Castle, offers a range of short, intensive three to five day residential courses. The CRT-funded "Pathways to Progression" project will pay for 28 people to take part in short residential courses to achieve NVQ level two qualifications, which should improve their chances of finding work.

Peter McNestry, chairman of the CRT, said: "Northern College offers many people who are unemployed a real chance of getting the qualifications they know will make a real difference to their future.

"We hope this funding helps more people benefit from the excellent education provided there."

Other recent local CRT grant recipients include sports and community groups which will use the funding to improve and extend the work that they do.

Worsborough Bridge Bowling Club has been awarded 4,141 towards the cost of new equipment and Rockingham Community Association will use its 4,985 grant to pay for a new website to help promote the newly-refurbished Miners' Welfare Club.

A grant of 3,800 will help Barnsley and District Football Association cover pitch hire and equipment costs and, in Grimethorpe, a 5,000 grant will help pay for a new amateur boxing club based at the Welfare Hall.