Cumbria LEP appoints Careers Hub manager
Cumbria LEP has appointed a new manager to take forward the development of the county’s Careers Hub and help transform careers education for young people.
Caroline Ledward will lead the Cumbria Careers Hub project, one of only 20 to be piloted in England. It is designed to improve the quality of careers education and guidance and give young people more and better access to effective work experiences by connecting schools and colleges with employers and careers programme providers.
Working with the Careers and Enterprise Company, local education and skills providers and employers, the LEP is set to formally launch the county’s Careers Hub in the coming weeks with Caroline at the helm.
Caroline has previously worked for Inspira, its predecessor Connexions Cumbria, the county’s 14-19 development team and Cumbria County Council. As Cumbria LEP’s 16-19 / NEET Manager in the last two years, she has worked with employers and partner organisations to address skills issues and support direct training provision for young people not in employment, education or training.
Caroline 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 as it becomes established.
“I’m passionate about supporting young people to achieve their personal and career aspirations. I cannot wait for the official launch of the hub in the coming weeks and starting to work with colleagues and partners.”
Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership Head of Employment and Skills Craig Ivison says: “The Cumbria Careers Hub will contribute to our Careers Strategy for Cumbria, improve local careers education and help prepare young people for the world of work.
“Caroline has a wealth of experience, having held a range of practitioner and management roles in education, skills, career management, youth work and youth support services.
“Caroline’s appointment is a strong one and will be integral to the development and successful delivery of our own Careers Hub. The aim is to provide support to schools and colleges in developing high quality careers and enterprise education programmes, building on the excellent practice evident in parts of the county and secure greater consistency and depth.”
A Careers Hub is a group of 20 to 40 schools and colleges working together with universities, training providers, employers and career professionals to improve careers education.
The Cumbria Careers Hub will have access to support and funding to help meet the eight Gatsby Benchmarks of excellent careers education. This includes Caroline’s appointment as ‘Hub Lead’ to help co-ordinate activity and build networks, support ‘careers leaders’ in schools and colleges and develop employer experiences for young people.
It will also dovetail with the Government’s Careers Strategy to improve the links between employers and education and has backing from local businesses, schools and colleges.