£2.4m boost on roads and apprenticeships

North Yorkshire County Council’s executive yesterday gave their backing for the repair programme to be carried out to the 5,000-mile network.

Members also approved a £400,000 package of funding to create apprenticeships to tackle unemployment among the county’s young people.

The council’s executive member for economic development, Coun Chris Metcalfe, said: “This is an imaginative and practical way in which the county council can help to bring the local economy through the worst ravages of the economic downturn.”

The need to create new employment opportunities is seen as vital to help ensure that young people remain in North Yorkshire. There were just over 3,000 people aged 18 to 24 claiming Job Seekers’ Allowances in North Yorkshire at the end of February.

The money will fund 90 apprenticeships or similar job opportunities in sectors such as social care, outdoor education and library services.