Talent Force Members
By becoming a member of Cumbria’s countywide alumni, you’ll be the inspiration that could help to make a positive difference to a young person’s life. You will be somebody that they can relate to, somebody who was also educated in Cumbria, somebody whose career story may inspire them to find the confidence to begin their own.
Cumbria has a varied and diverse array of career opportunities and we welcome volunteers from all sectors who represent and embrace the diversity of our county and its young people. With your help, we can support Cumbria’s schools and colleges to provide real-world careers information, education and advice.
This unique and evolving project exists because so many young people working in Cumbria today have told us that they wish something like this had been around when they were at school…We listened, it’s here… and we are inviting you to be a part of it.
You will join a network of young people (aged 18-35), who will be supporting students by sharing your career pathway, essential skills and your experience in Cumbria’s world of work.
If you are already supporting your previous school or college as part of their alumni, we would still encourage you to join Cumbria Talent Force as your experience will be invaluable to those who are new to this.
You will be a living, breathing case study, inspiring young people to think
“I can see it - I can be it”
Why join the Cumbria Talent Force?
By volunteering to share your skills, knowledge and expertise through your membership, you will help to raise the aspirations of young people in Cumbria by being part of a young vibrant network which challenges inequalities, stereotypical thinking and misconceptions all of which our schools tell us are barriers which can negatively affect achievement in some students.
We will support you all the way ensuring that you feel totally comfortable with your level of involvement and your volunteering choices.
In return you will be eligible to use the Cumbria Talent Force logo on your LinkedIn profile, you will receive an induction and training to support you in your role. You will also have an opportunity to develop the following skills
- Presentation skills
- Managing people
- Building Confidence
- Building Creativity
- Communication
This is a personal development opportunity which could help you with career progression and offer ample opportunities for networking.
Challenging stereotypes
Supporting Students to develop Essential Skills
Supporting Networking Skills
What sort of activities will Talent Force Members get involved in?
Being a member of the Cumbria Talent Force has been designed around the need to be flexible and take into account your other commitments.
We are asking all Talent Force Members to agree to provide information about their learning and career journey that will help schools create a Careers Pathway Poster which they will display in your previous school. After that, depending on your available time and your employer’s support (where needed) you may opt to support your previous school by choosing one or more of these suggested options:
- Feature in a video case study of your career pathway since leaving school
- Deliver a short presentation about your current job to students
- Support students with CV building or LinkedIn profile
- Demonstrate how essential skills are important in your current role
- Talk to students about your apprenticeship / university course
- Emphasising the importance of Maths and English for your job
- Share details of your entrepreneurial endeavors
- Attend as a guest speaker at school events i.e. Prizegiving, Parents’ Evening, Option evenings
- Form a panel with other Talent Force members for a careers Q&A session
- Become a “Subject Superhero” by linking with a subject teacher to deliver a work related project that brings learning to life
“Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.”
In this section:
Join Cumbria Talent Force
Complete your application to join Cumbria Talent Force
Members Area
As a member of the Cumbria Talent Force you have access to a secure membership area
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can join the Cumbria Talent Force?
If you are aged between 18-35 and were educated in and still are working within Cumbria you are eligible to join.
How much of my time will the Cumbria Talent Force take up?
You can specify how many hours you can spare – you may opt just to provide details for a case study poster if you don’t have a lot of time to spare or you may wish to volunteer on a weekly, monthly or even termly basis. It really is your choice.
Will I need a DBS Certificate?
Not necessarily. We do not envisage a situation where you would be left alone with pupils therefore no DBS is required.
I already volunteer as a STEM / Apprentice Ambassador. Can I also be in the Cumbria Talent Force?
Yes. We welcome collaborative working with other volunteering groups as we are all striving for the same goals – a better future for young people. It may even help you link in with schools to undertake your current ambassador role.
I wasn’t the best at school and it took a while for me to find the right pathway. Would schools really want to hear from me?
Schools know that many students struggle to thrive in the school environment, yet are able to turn this around and become successful in their own right after leaving school. School children value honesty and would really benefit from hearing from people who have faced similar obstacles and managed to overcome them.
I enjoy my job but it doesn’t come with an impressive job title or a large salary. Why would anyone be interested to hear from me?
The Cumbria Talent Force needs to be representative of all sectors in Cumbria. There are many industries in Cumbria which offer rewarding jobs. You will have the opportunity to raise the profile of a sector which may struggle to recruit, explain that some jobs are more of a vocation, and why sometimes job-satisfaction can be just as rewarding as a high salary.
I want to join Cumbria Talent Force but I am older than 35 / was not educated in Cumbria
The criteria is in place as research suggests that young people are more likely to relate to the experiences of people who are closer in age to themselves and come from a similar background. However, we do value volunteers from all walks of life. For more information on other ways to be involved take a look here
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.