Local career management and personal development organisation Inspira is managing and delivering new courses for unemployed people called Jobtrain.

Based on their successful Ready for Work programme, Jobtrain provides a highly interactive, challenging and rewarding development experience for around a thousand participants referred by Jobcentre Plus work coaches. Delivery covers the coastal areas of Barrow, Whitehaven and Workington as well as Blackpool, Fleetwood, Lancaster and Morecambe.

“Over the last four years we have been very successful in winning contracts which take us into Lancashire and beyond,” says Mark Bowman CE of Inspira. “Our roots are in Cumbria but we know that to grow as a not- for- profit, and to help people who need us, we need to be innovative and bidding and winning contacts further afield. Jobtrain is a great contract for us and for the people we are delivering it to”

Inspira beat competition from national training providers to secure the new contract to be delivered on behalf of the Department of Work and Pension.

Jobcentre Plus work coaches have been referring clients to diagnostic interviews with Inspira, which are then followed by a four day course to help participants become more motivated, enthusiastic and positive.

“Our business model allows us to scale up quickly,” continues Mr Bowman. “Our expertise and experience enables us to provide comprehensive, structured programmes which get results and secures positive outcomes for participants. Believing in people, inspiring and empowering them are at the heart of what we do.”

Alongside government departments, local authorities, schools and colleges, Inspira also works with employers through programmes like Ready for Work which helps local people gain local employment, and the National Careers Service.