Carlisle College has landed a new deal to offer apprenticeships to those working north of the border.

The city centre college has secured a contract with Skills Development Scotland to offer Modern Apprenticeships to students working in Scotland.

Due to the different funding arrangements for students either side of the border it was previously only possible for Carlisle College to offer apprenticeships to students working in England.

Starting this month, Carlisle College will offer Modern Apprenticeships in Scotland in the areas of accounting, business administration and motor vehicle.

Colin Luhrs, assistant director at Carlisle College, said: "We are delighted to be able to offer apprenticeships to students working in Scotland who can now benefit from our great facilities and success rates.

"It is also great news for employers who will have more choice in relation to apprenticeship training. I'd urge both businesses and potential apprentices to get in touch so that they can benefit from this opportunity."

Carlisle College already attracts over 150 students per year from Scotland for full-time courses.

This move provides further opportunities for those living across the border, who for many, Carlisle is their closest college.

Carlisle College offers a full recruitment service, helping students with their apprenticeship application whilst also assisting employers with short-listing and the referral of potential apprentices.

The news comes at a time when Carlisle College is closely involved in the Borderlands Partnership, an initiative to unlock the potential for sustainable and inclusive economic growth across the south of Scotland and north of England.

The initiative aims to draw together and build upon cross-border relationships for mutual benefit.

A key strand focuses on skills development and the role that skills, and it turn apprenticeships, play in developing the local economy.