An event will showcase Cumbrian businesses to prospective employees of the future later this month.
And, organisers say, the pioneering fair could provide lasting contacts for those still not sure which route to take after secondary education.
The inaugural skills event at Energus at Lillyhall on October 23 is a collaboration between Cumbria Chamber of Commerce and Energy Coast University Technical College.
Around a dozen small and medium sized businesses will be explaining more about their work and the roles on offer in sectors as diverse as road transport, electrical engineering, marketing and accountancy.
Aimed at 15 and 16-year-olds, up to 200 pupils from UTC and other schools around the Workington area have been invited to attend.
“When discussing future careers with our students many have ambitions of progressing into degree level apprenticeships with employers in the local area; one of the gaps that we noticed was that many of our students were failing to look at potential career opportunities within SMEs,” Kerryann Wilson, head of school at UTC, said.
“While we do work with a wide range of SMEs at Energy Coast UTC, we thought it was crucial to showcase those opportunities not only to our own students but to students from other local secondary schools and their parents too.
“We hope that the excellent future destinations that await so many of our students will also include some SMEs as their chosen progression pathway.”
Workington-based McMenon Engineering Services, Natterjack Marketing from Whitehaven and Distington-based hauliers Tyson H Burridge will be among those attending an event which could become a regular feature.
Alongside talks there will also be practical demonstrations during the day-long event together with an opportunity for parents to attend and ask more questions about work and training opportunities.
“We are sure the fair will offer a more in-depth insight into the variety of opportunities for young people that can be found in Cumbria,” Kevin Warman, local skills improvement plan engagement manager for Cumbria Chamber of Commerce, said.
“People are often surprised at the openings offered by a wide range of small and medium sized employers based all over Cumbria.
“I hope this event provides the spark that leads to teenagers taking up an opportunity in a sector they never realised existed.”
Organisations taking part are:
- Enterprising Cumbria
- Natterjack Marketing
- Co-Lab Engineering
- AB Accountancy
- Mcmenon Engineering
- Woodward health and safety
- AJ Security
- RB Electrical Services
- Tyson Burridge
- Cumbria Chamber of Commerce
- LANSS
- Misson CX
- Core Solutions
- Delkia Rebecca Wilson
