Cumbria Business Education Consortium (CBEC) believes an educated and employable workforce is essential in improving long-term business competitiveness. Greater partnerships between business and the education system must be encouraged to match the skills of today with the needs of the future.

Of the 18,000 businesses across Cumbria, CBEC work with over 1/3 of them of whom all give their time, or that of their employees, to support schools and students and ultimately their local community. And with potentially over 6,000 Cumbrian students leaving school each year, your help is vital in giving these young people an insight in to work and supporting their development with our guidance.

HOW CAN THIS BE ACHIEVED ? – BY WORKING TOGETHER …

your business can help contribute towards:
• raising standards in education
• preparing young people for the world of work
• raising motivation & aspirations of young people
• supporting teacher development
• the local economy & community development

HOW CAN I GET INVOLVED ?

Any business can get involved regardless of whether you are a “one-man band” or a huge multi-national company, here’s how …
• providing work experience for pupils – it could be a one-off, 5 day placement or 5 pupils a year for up to 10 days in the Block Work Experience programme or one day a week for an academic year or two for a student on the Extended Work Experience programme  - the choice and commitment is yours
• providing teachers with the opportunity to visit your business and view operations which they can then relay back in school
• providing teachers and pupils the opportunity to visit your business and experience a work environment
• bringing your business into the school environment to work with students, can you spare the time to work on a specific project i.e Enterprise? Or how about sparing an employee to do Mock Interviews in a Work Ready Programme for a couple of hours

WHY GET INVOLVED ?

• It is a myth that schools only need cash and resources. A companys' time and knowledge is what really counts! – and is far more valuable
• Who wouldn’t want the opportunity to help shape the minds and maybe change the lives of young people of today by offering your expertise and skills – these young people are your employees of tomorrow
• You or your employees could learn something from the students or just by being involved (listening skills, working with others, patience, problem solving….) 
• Keeping in touch with the youth of today could assist with recruitment, sales or marketing.
• It will help raise your profile in the community – Free advertising just by being there
• Working with schools and offering a business challenge to pupils can assist companies with new logos and marketing materials, product development, websites and research – mutual benefits showing an active commitment to education and the local community can only improve a company's image and reputation.
• Investing company time in partnership projects pay off in real terms with increased staff motivation, skills and personal development.

HOW LONG AM I COMMITED TO DO THIS FOR?

Quite simply – for as long as you want to - you can be rest assured that every minute you have worked together with CBEC and the schools has been a valuable one 

WHAT NOW?

Contact us and we can advise you as to how you can get involved in a programme we are working on right now for your local school – it’s as easy as that!