Cumbria Activate Your Future is a new online resource launched to signpost and prepare Year 11 students and ease the transition between school and further education.
The joint programme, established by Cumbria LEP’s People, Employment and Skills Strategy Group and sponsored by Hello Future, has been launched in recognition that the Coronavirus pandemic has been a particularly challenging time for students, and especially for those leaving school this summer looking to begin the next chapter of their education.
With spring lockdown measures in place, it hasn’t been possible for students to visit local colleges in person for advice and discussion.
Working together, Cumbria’s schools, Colleges, training providers and advice agencies have launched Cumbria Activate Your Future – an online learning portal where students can register to access a host of careers guidance resources, followed by a collection of online resources in a range of technical skills areas.
The offer includes introductions to the following vocational subject pathways:
- Business
- Construction
- Engineering
- Hair and Beauty
- The Arts
- Catering
- Health and Social Care
- Early Years
- Information Technology
The self-study packages are free of charge and schools will be able to register students to access Cumbria Activate Your Future from Friday 19 June onwards.
The learning resources are provided by Carlisle College, Furness College, Kendal College and Lakes College as well as from the Blended Learning Consortium.
The project is sponsored by Hello Future and supported by Cumbria Careers Hub and Inspira.
Mike Smith OBE, CLEP Board Member and Chair of its People, Employment and Skills Strategy Group, said: “As young people across Cumbria prepare for the next step in their learning journey it’s essential that we work to encourage and support them in these very challenging times.”
“This project is a great example of collaboration between our schools, colleges, and other providers delivering a project that will support young people as they look to develop their careers here in Cumbria.”
Michael Sidall, Area Manager at Hello Future, said: “As a partnership who work to support access to Higher Education, we recognise the transition from school to Further Education as a key step in a young person’s learning journey; this platform provides invaluable support for that transition and beyond.”
Grant Glendinning, Principal at Carlisle College, said: “We’ve teamed up to bring inspiration and learning for Cumbrian school leavers aiming to achieve their ambitions through technical education. Carlisle College was delighted to coordinate this project, which has seen partners from across the county come together to deliver a very important resource”.
Judith Schafer, Executive Headteacher Solways and Beacon Hill Community Schools and Chair of Cumbria Association of Secondary Headteachers, said: “Year 11 students who have had their schooling cut short deserve to be supported over this difficult time, and this collaborative project does exactly that – making sure they are engaged in their futures and have their destinations sorted out.
“It’s been excellent to work with FE colleagues and I am confident this is something we will be able to use again year after year for our students.”
For more information on Cumbria Activate Your Future, visit: http://cumbriaconnectandlearn.co.uk/.
