An employment event will be held to address the skills shortage in Cumbria.

All Together Cumbria CIC is hosting the so-called ‘Festival of Work’ next month, in association with Lakes College.

The event will showcase the local employment opportunities available and the pathways to progressing a successful career across the construction, engineering and nuclear sectors.

With high levels of unfilled vacancies and acute skills shortages intensified by an aging workforce, the construction, engineering, and nuclear sectors need to encourage the transfer of new talent, which is magnified by the future predicted growth in demand for labour, according to the CIC.

The festival, which will take place at Lakes College, will include employer stands to promote over 300 vacancies that are currently available across the businesses attending.

They will be joined by a range of career support organisations and training/education providers who can provide advice and courses to support career progression, as well as a programme of interactive workshop sessions to provide an insight into the wide range of careers available in the businesses taking part in the day and how they can be pursued.

The sessions will also assist attendees with interview techniques, CV writing, and identifying transferable skills.

Andy Dodds, social enterprise manager at All Together Cumbria, said: “The Festival of Work provides a real opportunity to meet employers that are recruiting for a wide range of vacancies from planners to quantity surveyors, to groundworkers and is not only perfect for those who are leaving education this summer but for those looking to progress their careers with leading local employers in growing sectors.”

Chris Nattress, principal at Lakes College, said “Our mission is aimed directly at supporting the good people of West Cumbria into skilled employment and developing rewarding challenging careers, be that within apprenticeships or with degree level qualifications or sometimes both.

“We work hand in hand with employers throughout our region and this event is a great way to help develop the pipeline of talent we all need.”

The first part of the festival will see local secondary school pupils attend to gain an insight into potential future careers before the event opens to the public between 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm on July 14.

To register, click here.

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