BOLTON Institute has been awarded £1.2 million in grants to help unemployed people gain job qualifications.

The cash will be used to provide training for unemployed engineers and technologists on a programme leading to NVQ Level 5, MSc and other post-graduate qualifications.

There were 83 bids for European Social Fund Objective 3 awards and 11 were successful - two of them from the Institute.

As well as funding the tuition, the grants also provide for a contribution to subsistence, travel and childcare costs of students where appropriate.

Professor Danny Morton, Associate Dean of the Faculty of Technology at Bolton Institute, said: "These awards reflect the skills of staff and the level of new technology available at the Institute.

"Excellent provision is available for unemployed and other disadvantaged people who have the abilities to benefit."

The Institute has an enviable track record for generating funding from national and international sources.

In 1998 it was awarded £1 million for a Centre of Excellence in remote access high technology training over the Internet.

Details on new technology courses are available on 01204 903430.

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