Over 300 vacancies across construction, engineering and nuclear at Festival of Work

COMMUNITY interest company, All Together Cumbria, which invests in providing the people of Cumbria with opportunities and access to employment is hosting a Festival of Work event on Thursday, July 14, in association with Lakes College.

The Festival of Work is an event responding to the skills shortages in the region, by showcasing 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.

This is magnified by the future predicted growth in demand for labour.

The Construction Skills Network report just published by CITB predicts that an extra 28,450 workers will be required across the North West by 2026 in construction alone.

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.

There will also be 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 to secure a vacancy.

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 2pm and 7pm.

The event aims to attract those who are unemployed, those looking to start their career, those already working but looking to progress their careers, and those looking for a career change.

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: “We are delighted to be hosting the Festival of Work here at our college.

“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.”

Attendees to the Festival of Work can register for free at https://bit.ly/ATCFOW