A SKILLS centre which gave young people out of work or education improved chances of finding a job is due to close in September because of funding cuts.

The Darlington College campus at Catterick Garrison has run Project U since 2011 – giving people aged 14 to 20 who are out of work, education or training the chance to study a vocational course with added team building, personal development leading to a level one qualification.

Courses included painting and decorating, catering, creative media, uniformed services, business administration and IT, caring for children, and hair and beauty.

In January Darlington College principal Kate Roe warned that about £1.8m in cuts would have to be made over during the course of the year - and the campus in the garrison has fallen victim.

Richmondshire District Councillor for Scotton, Cllr Helen Grant, said she was concerned about the closure.

She said: “This is a great loss particularly for the students accessing Project U - I have been told that the current group of students will complete their studies and some will continue at the Darlington site.

"It saddens me that what was a flagship building created as part of a Single Regeneration Bid in the 1990s, which I was heavily involved in, should now become obsolete.

"I hope that the building is put to good community use and that it does not just sit there for years as so many do, and I urge any current students who are concerned to contact me.”

A spokeswoman for Darlington College said despite lengthy discussions about planning its curriculum, and talks with North Yorkshire County Council, the decision was made to close the Catterick site.

She said: “Pressures on our budget and cuts to our funding mean it is no longer viable to run this provision.

“We have met with all the students at the site and offered them advice, guidance and student support to plan their next steps.

“We have reassured them there will be no disruption to their studies as they come to the end of the academic year, and will offer the alternative of coming to the main college site next year and to support student transport costs, where applicable, as part of our discretionary bursary fund.

“We have met with staff on a number of occasions and we anticipate being able to accommodate arrangements for permanent staff where possible.”

At the Catterick site there are approximately 12 staff, around 36 Project U students and a small group of adult learners.

A spokeswoman for North Yorkshire County Council said: “Local authority officers have been in discussion with the college regarding the potential gap in training provision which this closure may cause.

“Once this has been further clarified, we will approach the Education Funding Agency who commission such provision, to discuss this matter further.”