WOULD you be prepared to give an hour of your working week to help Cumbrian youngsters shape their future careers?

Cumbrian businesses are being invited to support a programme to help young people in the county’s schools and colleges do just that.

Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership joined forces with the Careers and Enterprise Company to launch the “Give An Hour” campaign.

This looks for business volunteers to sign up and spend an hour sharing their career journey and experiences with school and college students.

Craig Ivison, Head of Skills with Cumbria LEP, said: “This is one of the ways in which our Cumbrian businesses can support our young people to establish the right career path for them.

“The Give An Hour scheme, which we’re delivering with the Careers and Enterprise Company, is an excellent way for those that have established their career to support our young people to get started.

“The unique industry knowledge and experience gathered by people within Cumbrian organisations, in both the private and public sector, can make a crucial difference to the options that a young person considers in making their career choices.

“You could be the person who changes the life of a young person, just by showing them the options that are available to them.”

In addition to giving young people valuable careers advice, the Give An Hour campaign can potentially find new recruits for the organisation concerned.

Craig added: “It might feel like an hour is too short to have a real impact, but we know from experience that an hour can create new perspectives and inspire new ideas.

“You could speak to a class about your sector, play a role in a business competition, carry out a mock interview or support a CV workshop.

“Even these short activities make a big difference and can change a young person’s life.”

For further information, contact Craig Ivison on 01768 212862 or visit https://giveanhour.co.uk/