Introducing the Cumbria Talent Force
Making the most of the Cumbria Talent Force members will support you by introducing your learners to a whole range of employees currently working in Cumbria that want to share their learning and career pathway.
As a bonus, working with the Talent Force members will also support achievement of at least Gatsby Benchmarks 2, 3, 4 and 5.
What is special about our members?
Our intention is to introduce your pupils and students to relatable people that have recently attended your school or college. Our members will understand what it is like to be sat where your pupils and students are sitting when they meet them. They will remember what it was like to have to make decisions about their future when they weren’t sure. Some will know how it feels to have regrets about not making the most of every opportunity offered to them. They will be able to share how they overcame different barriers. They will be able to raise aspirations by showcasing how successful they have now become. But perhaps most importantly they will know your school or college, the teachers and lecturers and the culture.
We will undertake an awareness campaign to recruit volunteers who are either studying at a Further or Higher Education Institution, undertaking an apprenticeship or simply undertaking a role in one of Cumbria’s thousands of organisations. They may be employed or indeed an employer.
Our members will represent the demographic in your school or college having experienced different pathways and are willing to share their stories.
What happens when they join the Talent Force?
Application Process
Our members will complete an online application form providing us with the information needed to enable us to make a decision about whether they will be a suitable member.
They will be asked to confirm how they will support their previous school or college and this will be clear when you click on their profile. Their decision on the level of support may be influenced by their available time, permissions from their employer to be away from the business or simply their own confidence levels. Their level of support may change throughout the year depending on their circumstances so please check back.
Training and Development
Members of the Cumbria Talent Force will take part in a short induction session helping them to understand the aim of the Talent Force and other vital information such as basic health and safety and safeguarding. This will be completed ahead of them working with their school or college.
Our members will be invited to undertake relevant online development sessions including:
- How to describe your job role to young people
- Engaging Delivery Techniques and Presentation Skills
- First Steps into Volunteering
- The importance of Maths and English in the world of work
- Explaining Essential Skills and why they are important
They will also have an opportunity to attend networking events and specialised training and development that links to ongoing priorities which may include supporting a school with mock interviews or a World of Work Day for example.
Disclosure Barring Service
Please note as we don’t expect our members to be left to work in a lone situation with your pupils and students we will not be undertaking DBS checks. Some may have a DBS check through their current role or as part of an ambassador programme they belong to including STEM Ambassadors and the Northwest Apprenticeship Ambassador Programme.
School and College careers programmes should actively seek to challenge misconceptions and stereotypical thinking, showcase a diverse range of role models and raise aspirations.
How to use the Cumbria Talent Force?
Career Pathway Posters
You have the opportunity to download the career pathway information for your ex pupils or students which can be used to create career pathway posters.
To maximise use of these posters you can add them to subject classrooms where an interest in that subject has supported a particular pathway, add them to your own website to showcase the destinations of your students or showcase in the corridors of your school/college as part of your alumni.
In Schools, during each Key Stage, all pupils should access and use information about careers, pathways and the labour market to inform their own decisions on study options or next steps.
In Colleges, during their programme of study, all learners should access and use information about careers, pathways and the labour market to inform their own decisions on study options or next steps.
Careers Talks
Some of our members have agreed to return to their school or college to give careers talks, depending on their available time.
Here they will share their learning or career journey with your pupils or students. Whether in an assembly, classroom setting or hosted virtually, sharing their career story is a great way to help young people understand the realities of the world of work and inspire them about a career path they may never have considered.
Members of the Cumbria Talent Force will have varied experience and have followed different pathways to get to where they are now. Try and bring a range of Talent Force members into your school or college to share their own and different pathways.
Linking Careers to the Curriculum
Our members have the option to choose to support subject teachers and if they have offered to do this, it would be a great opportunity to link curriculum learning with careers.
From September 2025 all subject teachers should highlight the progression routes for their subject and the relevance of the knowledge and skills developed in their subject for a wide range of career pathways.
Cumbria Talent Force members will be able to explain to learners which subjects have helped them the most alongside the importance of achieving the best grades possible for English and Maths.
The future depends on what you do today.
School and College careers programmes should actively seek to challenge misconceptions and stereotypical thinking.
Hints & Tips
Making the most of the Cumbria Talent Force members will support you by introducing your learners to a whole range of employees currently working in Cumbria that want to share their learning and career pathway.