News and Views

Cumbria LEP has appointed a new manager to take forward the county’s Careers Hub in order to continue to transform careers education for young people.

Cath Dutton will lead the Cumbria Careers Hub, a partnership of schools, Colleges, employers and careers education professionals.

Working alongside the Careers and Enterprise Company (CEC), the Hub brings together employers with schools and Colleges to support high quality careers education and enable young people to engage with employers and experience the world of work.

Cath has previously worked for Cumbria Tourism as an Industry Services Director and was involved developing critical partnerships with schools, colleges, careers and skills agencies to raise awareness of the varied, and exciting career opportunities in tourism and hospitality.

Outside of her day job, Cath was a Board Member of the Learning and Skills Council in the early 2000s and from 2001 has been on the Board of Kendal College, holding the role of Chair since 2014.

Cath says: “My role will be to ensure that the Careers Hub effectively co-ordinates activities between our schools, colleges, Enterprise Advisors and employers, as well as evaluating progress.

“I believe passionately in the need for dynamic partnership working to achieve the outcomes young people should expect and rightly deserve, and I am looking forward to working with colleagues and partners to ensure careers education in Cumbria continues to go from strength to strength.”

Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership Head of Employment and Skills Craig Ivison says: “I am delighted to welcome Cath to the Careers Hub team. Cath has the right background and experience to drive forward Cumbria Careers Hub and bring together employers, schools and Colleges in delivering our ambitions for careers education at a time when young people want to understand the fast changing world of work, and employers are looking to build the workforce of the future.

Ella Wardleworth-Philips, Area Manager-North of the CEC, said: “We are delighted with the appointment of Cath Dutton as Careers Hub Lead for Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership.

“The Cumbria Careers Hub has gone from strength to strength providing the infrastructure to transform careers education for young people in Cumbria.

“In these challenging times, excellent careers education has never been more important for young people to progress to positive destinations and realise their potential. The CEC continues to work in close partnership with the Cumbria Careers Hub to highlight the best practice being delivered by the Cumbria schools/colleges and having Cath leading the way is of huge benefit."

Cumbria Careers Hub offers a range of opportunities in Cumbria for businesses and organisations to engage and benefit from partnership with local schools and colleges.Together, they aim to ensure all young Cumbrians are inspired and prepared for the world of work. If you would like to be involved, or would like more information, please e-mail Head of Skills, Craig Ivison: Craig.Ivison@thecumbrialep.co.uk.