CUMBRIA'S unique Dream Placement leadership and business experience programme, which launches this month, is now in its 10th year.

The collaborative initiative will build on the success of last year, which saw a record number of placements for young people aged 16 – 18 across Cumbria.

Dream Placement 2023, organised by the Centre for Leadership Performance (CforLP), offers 16-18 year olds from across the county the chance to learn about careers and business and gain life-changing opportunities.

CforLP is now working to bring more businesses on board.

CforLP executive director Sarah Glass said: "Cumbria is facing a huge challenge with our brightest young people leaving the county for university or city life, and others challenged by their educational attainment or personal circumstances.

"Many young people don’t realise the opportunities available to them right here but Dream Placement gives them greater awareness and understanding of Cumbrian businesses and the careers they offer. 

“All of our partners and collaborators on the programme agree that it is vital to engage with and listen to young people of all abilities who may be unsure about their futures or rethinking their career ideas.

"They are the leaders and workforce of tomorrow and our most important resource.”

There will be extensive on-line contact and live interaction to ensure all the young people applying for the programme gain maximum benefit from taking part.

The interviews for placements will mainly take place face-to-face in December but with a virtual option available based on the success of last year’s hybrid selection event.

In addition, this year CforLP are excited to announce Cumbria Council Council’s Allerdale Local Committee and Copeland Community Fund are supporting CforLP to deliver additional support for ‘hard to reach’ young people who may not automatically see Dream Placement as an opportunity.