The Cumbria Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) highlighted the numerous skills challenges faced by local businesses, including, among others, recruitment, issues with essential skills, low carbon challenges and gaps in the training offer in some key sectors.
As part of addressing these challenges, lead partner for the LSIP, Cumbria Chamber of Commerce, secured funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund through Cumberland Council to implement some of the recommendations outlined in the LSIP Report.
To date, this project has supported 300 learners against a target of 172 – plus around the same number taking part in careers fairs. Out of the 131 unemployed/economically inactive learners 27 are already in jobs following the training, with more expected.
1. Helping Job Seekers Thrive
Delivered by: PHX Training
PHX Training supported job seekers across Cumberland through job clubs, CV support, support submitting applications and writing covering letters. 70 individuals have benefited, with 15 securing sustainable employment so far.
Joan Britton, 60, turned to PHX for guidance on a career change and gained Level 2 qualifications in Safeguarding, Mental Health, and Managing Money. With PHX’s support, she secured a full-time role as a passenger assistant helping young people with additional needs. Joan said: “PHX Training helped me gain the skills and confidence to start a new career. I’m so happy with my new role that I plan to continue beyond retirement age.”
Impact:
- Tailored support improves employment prospects
- Weekly job clubs provide ongoing guidance
- Success stories highlight life-changing career transitions
2. Careers Fairs
Delivered by: Inspira
Inspira hosted three free careers fairs for unemployed adults and career changers, connecting them with over 40 local and national employers. Participants were also able to get help from advisers with their CVs and preparing for interviews. The fairs attracted over 300 attendees, with some securing interviews on the day. 52 economically inactive participants were intensively supported with 11 of them now in employment so far.
Michael, who attended the Carlisle event said: “I attended the jobs fair at Carlisle after being informed about positions available with G4S. The jobs fair was really helpful, and I spoke to several employers, including G4S, who accepted my CV and scheduled an interview for the following day. I was pleased to get a job offer for an Event Security role at Carlisle Racecourse.”
Impact:
- Targeted support improved job prospects of attendees
- Positive feedback from job seekers and employers
- Strong engagement from major employers, including NHS, Amazon, BAE Submarines, and Center Parcs
3. Low carbon Driver training
Delivered by: SP Training
SP Training has been delivering Low Carbon Instructor and Driver courses to businesses across Cumbria, supporting 139 learners in improving fuel efficiency while driving. Of these, 84 have already moved into new or enhanced roles, including 15 previously unemployed or economically inactive learners.
Impact
Neil McPhillips, Training Manager at Wm Armstrong Group Ltd, shared that the courses were well received by both instructors and drivers. He noted that:
- Drivers – although initially sceptical – saw significant improvement in their driving techniques
- Many were surprised by the fuel-saving opportunities identified during training
- Driver CPC qualification added extra value
4. Driving recruitment and skills development in the land-based sector
Delivered by: Myerscough College
Myerscough College delivered a range of activity aimed at individuals working in or considering working in Cumbria’s land-based sector. This included courses in areas including livestock handling, all terrain vehicle handling, tractor driving, use of pesticides, first aid and health and safety. Training was undertaken by 19 employed learners and 1 unemployed learner.
Impact
- Delegates were able to gain valuable industry-recognised qualifications
- Qualifications focussed on workplace safety and compliance
- Employers benefited from having a better trained workforce
5. Introducing young people at risk of becoming NEET to careers in land-based sector
Delivered by: Kendal College
Kendal College provided training at Wigton auction mart for 10 young adults from areas of deprivation who are NEET or at risk of being NEET who want the opportunity to consider a career in the land-based sector. They offered a flexible introduction to the land-based sector, providing an opportunity to join learning withoutthe requirement to meet academic entry criteria, or fully commit to a full qualification based academic course.
Participants gained a variety of experience including conducting a sheep bath; weighing, feeding and medicating lambs; mucking out and feeding lambs and chickens; transporting sheep across a road using sheepdogs; planting vegetation for sheep shade and field separation and installing fence posts and wire.
Impact
- Inspired two young people to consider land-based apprenticeships
- One individual will pursue a full-time agricultural course
- Supported one person interested in a career in game keeping
6. CPD for the land-based sector
Delivered by: University of Cumbria
The University delivered accredited part-time courses for farmers, land managers, advisers and new entrants, developed in partnership with local experts in the land-based sector, supporting 11 learners. Highlights include a new course for later delivery to meet local need in Collaborative Practice in Land Management and an Upland Farming for Net Zero course.
Impact:
Participants on the Upland Farming for Net Zero Course gave the following feedback:
- 100% of attendees would recommend the course
- Participants gained practical strategies to cut emissions and other skills
- Attendees described training as “worthwhile,” “engaging,” and “well-delivered.”
