Getting into paid work will be easier for the Counties school leavers, who see apprenticeships as are far more important than degrees.

Cumbria county Council has been looking into how our younger generation are transitioning from the world of education to the world of work.

Todays findings were laid bare as councillors scrutinised local enterprise partnerships in the county with some surprising results. The findings found that the number Cumbrian’s taking apprenticeships, are now more than double that of the national average. 11% went on to an intermediate apprenticeship and a further 2% went on to a higher/degree apprenticeship.

The committee were told that Cumbria has a relatively low rate of young people making the transition into higher education. The national rate of HE participation was 37.5% while Cumbria’s rate was 31.6% but this varied around the county, from 42% in South Lakeland to 25% in Copeland

Cumbria Careers Hub – supported 40 secondary schools and colleges this year to develop a shared understanding of the changes to the labour market during the Covid period and will now look at how to adapt careers and education to support young people accordingly.

The council is expected to get behind the national campaign of “My Week of Work” which will be consisted of 20 ‘online lessons,’ to support pupils to gain an insight into the world of work through ‘employer’s resources.’

Jo Lappin, the Chief Executive of Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership who presented to the Scrutiny Board said “Moving forward it is important that we have a flexible, pacey and responsive system that is better directed locally. Our Skills Advisory Panel and Careers Hub both have important roles in this and will help make sure that Cumbria is well placed to make sure that activities and interventions meet the specific needs of our economy, businesses and importantly our younger people.”