BARKING College has been handpicked for a funding boost in a bid to halt soaring unemployment levels. The further education college in Dagenham Road is one of 14 in London which will share a cut of an �83million government kitty to offer training places

BARKING College has been handpicked for a funding boost in a bid to halt soaring unemployment levels.

The further education college in Dagenham Road is one of 14 in London which will share a cut of an �83million government kitty to offer training places to long-term unemployed people.

The move comes as unemployment rates in Britain topped seven per cent for the first time since 1999, with around 2.2million people out of work.

Education and industry chiefs hope the extra cash - which will be ploughed into creating more places on training schemes - will bolster job prospects.

Courses will be tailor-made to suit the job market, with vocational training as well as lessons in areas such as retail and hospitality.

Students will also have the chance to continue training if and when they get back to work.