A Cumbrian training firm has been given £25,000 to provide more online courses during the coronavirus lockdown.

PHX Training, which has centres in Barrow, Carlisle and Workington has been awarded the grant by Ufi VocTech Trust, a charitable trust specialising in the adoption of digital tools for vocational learning.

Using the cash, the firm will launch its Transform Project, which will allow more of its staff to deliver training courses remotely, meaning that learners can continue to study throughout the lockdown.

Briony Fawcett, managing director of PHX Training, said: “Like every business in the country, we are adapting quickly to new ways of working during the lockdown.

"Fortunately, this grant allows us to run our training courses online and help people learn new vocational skills so they can find work.

“Running these training courses online not just allows people to learn from home, but it also allows people who live in more remote areas of the county to keep in touch with learning.

"At the same time, the flexibility of online learning allows people to study around home schooling or childcare – at a time that is easiest for them.

“Helping people to reskill and find new jobs is so important right now – whether it is to create more key workers or to support people who have been made redundant by the pandemic – and PHX Training is continuing to support our community as much as possible.