The National Careers Service for Cumbria was officially launched at The Rheged Centre near Penrith today. Designed to enable adults’ access to independent, professional advice on careers, skills and training, the National Careers Service is available through face to face contact in Cumbria.

‘At a time when unemployment and redundancies in the county remains a hot topic.’ says Mark Bowman, CEO of Inspira, ‘We hope the new National Careers Service will help adults who are facing an uncertain future, find focus and onto a path which leads to employment.’

Nationwide the service is available online, through advisors on the telephone and face to face. Deliverers of the service in the county are Inspira, formerly Connexions Cumbria, know for expert careers advice and guidance spanning 20years, BTCV employment services who focus on helping the long term unemployed back into employment and RWP Careers who provide information, advice and guidance to young people and adults considering apprenticeships. The National Careers Service marks the transition from the Next Step service targeted at adults.

Compared to a year ago, there are 1,040 more people claiming JSA in Cumbria, a rise of 11.9% over the year. The National Careers Service marks the transition from the Next Step service targeted at adults.