MORE young people can enter work-based training this year after Cumbria Learning and Skills Council secured record funding levels for the county.

Some £10.9 million will be earmarked for work-based learning in the county during 2001/2002, compared with a maximum of £9.2m available in the past.

The cash will support more than 4,500 young people - some 500 more than last year.

The Learning and Skills Council, which officially gets off the ground in April, will take charge of funding and planning all post-16 education, from further education colleges and school sixth forms to work-based training for young people and education/business links.

The Employment Service will assume responsibility for adult training in Cumbria.