Almost 50 determined teenagers from across Cumbria have gained placements with top employers.

More than 80 young people took part in a selection day for the Dream Placement challenge,  competing for the opportunity to spend their February 2019 half-term holiday alongside leaders in the workplace.

The competition organised by the Centre for Leadership Performance took place at Energus near Workington and involved employers from all sectors and areas including Sellafield Ltd, Doosan Babcock, Balfour Beatty, NHS Health Trusts, Carlisle and Allerdale Councils.

Almost 200 young people aged 16-18 originally applied for the Dream Placements, which will involve them spending a week alongside business leaders.

Katherine Armstrong was a Millom Sixth Form student when she first took part in Dream Placement in 2016-17.  She went on to become an ambassador for the programme, which led directly to her current role as a trainee in transport and logistics with Cyclife Groupe EDF.

She said: “Cyclife created an opportunity for me, and now I am working in my dream job. I didn’t even know Cyclife existed before Dream Placement.  It was a real eye-opener to see all those companies involved in the scheme.”

One of the companies hosting a Dream Placement winner is testing and inspection company Responsive Ltd, based in Workington.

Gareth McNally, who is a non-destructive testing technician with the firm, said: “Dream Placement is important because it gives young people the opportunity to speak to companies.  It is a little like the ‘X-factor’ in that there are people out there who could be integral to your business, but you wouldn’t know until you give them this opportunity.  A previous Dream Placement candidate is now working in our business and we are looking for more young people in the future.”

Centre for Leadership and Performance marketing and business development manager Sarah Glass said: “Dream Placement was co-created with businesses which now fund the scheme and it is a vital tool in addressing talent attraction and retention in Cumbria. Collaboration is at the centre of everything we does, and this unique programme simply could not happen without the support of businesses and partners working together.”

Successful candidates from the selection event will attend a development day at Energus on January 26 taking part in activities designed to prepare them for their week with the business. 

Tara Moore, learning and development advisor at the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, said: “We interview six or seven candidates during the day and find there is an incredible calibre of talented young people coming through.  I think Dream Placement is a fundamental opportunity for them because without having experience in the workplace and being able to interface and ask questions  it is very difficult for them to make those life-decisions.  The scheme provides a huge payback to us, because it shows the wealth of opportunities within the nuclear industry, not simply engineering but also areas like HR, communications, legal.”

Sylvia Grainger from the University of Cumbria said: "An event like today gives young people experiences they may not have had before, engaging in problem-solving exercises, meeting lots of new people from business and education, helping them to develop and grow their confidence.  It is great for us to work with the young people and hear about their dreams and aspirations, and help to shape their future which is so important.”

The line-up of companies and organisations hosting the young people includes: Allerdale Borough Council, Amcor Flexibles, Balfour Beatty, Carlisle City Council, Centre for Leadership Performance, Copeland MP Trudy Harrison, Costain, Cyclife Group EDF, Direct Rail Services, Doosan, Energus,  GlaxoSmithKline, James Fisher Nuclear, Lakes College, Mott Macdonald, Newsquest  (InCumbria, The Mail), Cumbria Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust, NSG Environmental, Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, Responsive, Sellafield Ltd, Story Homes, Story Contracting, Westinghouse, University of Cumbria,  and Wood (formerly Amec FW).

Organisations supporting the scheme include Cumbria Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, Britain’s Energy Coast Business Cluster, Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership, Choose Cumbria, Cumbria Aspires and Carlisle Ambassadors.