A training organisation is returning to Barrow's town centre as it aims to help local people back into work.

PHX Training has re-opened its centre on Rawlinson Street to help provide apprenticeships, trainings courses and back-to-work support to help local people who have been made unemployed due to the coronavirus crisis.

The centres have been fitted out with social distancing floor markers, screens and extra anti-bacterial measures to protect learners and staff.

Carla Pearson, of PHX Training, said: “Unfortunately for many people in Cumbria, the virus has had a big impact on jobs, with many people losing their employment and potentially having to retrain and learn completely new skills to find work.

“It’s vitally important that we are able to safely re-open our centres and offer as much support as possible to make sure that people in Barrow have the best access to jobs and training support to be considered for new jobs. We’re also working with local employers who may need to hire quickly, or to access the Government’s apprenticeship bonuses.

“Our staff have been working around the clock to make sure our centres are as clean and safe to visit as possible, and we’re eager to help as many people as we can back into work.”

PHX is continuing to provide training support online, in addition to offering face to face sessions.

The company is also able to support companies which want to take part in the Government’s Kickstart scheme to hire young adults into work placements lasting six months.

From August, businesses will also be paid £2000 for each new apprentice hired under 25, and £1500 for any new apprentices over 25. This is in addition to the £1000 offered to business who take on apprentices between 16 and 18.