A LEADING careers management and personal development charity in Cumbria is expanding its team again as the government calls for more careers help for young people and adults.

Inspira, which has more than 120 staff across Cumbria and Lancashire, currently delivers careers information, advice and guidance digitally through group workshops and one-to-one appointments.

“We were bold and moved very quickly in March 2020 to get all our advisers online and deliver careers sessions,” said Mark Bowman, chief executive of the company.

“With lockdown three, we simply reverted to our digital model to ensure our clients continued to receive the help they needed.”

Known for its work with NEET (not in education, employment or training) young people and unemployed adults, Inspira is also a key player in connecting employers - large and SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) - with careers guidance and education activities in schools and colleges throughout Cumbria.

“A crucial part of our work is also engaging employers with the education sector to inspire young people about their future careers,” said Mr Bowman.

“This year has been incredibly tough for so many learners, so we have doubled our efforts to ensure young people have the inspiration and support they require.

“Recently we have been awarded two new contracts to expand on our work with young people.”

Part of Inspira’s staff expansion has been the appointment of four local employment engagement coordinators. Funded through the Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), the Department for Work and Pensions and the European Social Fund, The Link aims to help address the significant challenges identified in the LEP’s draft local industrial strategy for Cumbria’s people and skills, such as declining workforce, a thin pool of higher-level skills and the need for a curriculum for productivity and inclusive growth.

Other roles include a marketing communications lead, skills and development advisers and progression coaches.

“To be in a position to launch such a sizeable recruitment campaign at the start of 2021 when, sadly, there are so many other employers having to reduce the size of their workforce, is positive, “ said Louisa Graham, Inspira’s HR manager.

“Growth in existing contracts means that, in total, we have opportunities for over 10 people to come and join our friendly and dedicated delivery teams helping unemployed adults and young people reach their potential.”

Visit inspira.org.uk for more.