A record entry is expected for Dream Placement 2017
A record entry is expected for Dream Placement 2017 which enables 16-18 year olds across Cumbria to compete for the unique opportunity to spend time learning about leadership and career opportunities with the county’s top businesses and organisations.Carlisle United Football Club is one of more than 40 companies and organisations supporting the initiative and hosting placements during the half term week in February 2017.
Sales and Marketing Director Phil King said: "We're really pleased that we're involved in such a great scheme which gives talented young students an insight into the working environment.
"We were involved for the first time last year and we felt it was a huge success. We're looking forward to welcoming another student in February and we would encourage everybody who is interested to get involved."
The Centre for Leadership Performance which runs the programme says there is already a huge amount of interest in Dream Placement generated through visits to schools and colleges by host companies, and by feedback from previous entrants and companies involved. Click HERE to read the feedback.
A challenging competition which can change lives, Dream Placement is now in its fourth year and will offer more than 50 Cumbrian teenagers who get through to the final stage a unique opportunity to learn about business and shape their own futures.
CforLP Marketing and Business Development Manager Sarah Glass explains: “There’s a real buzz about the competition for places this year, and also an appreciation from the young people that even if they don’t secure a placement, taking part in the selection process is a huge development opportunity, and an experience not to be missed.”
Dream Placement was born out of conversations with business about how to attract and retain talent, how to spotlight what businesses do, and show young people the breadth of fantastic opportunities for them in the County. It encourages young talent to stay in Cumbria or return if they go away to university.
The line-up of companies and organisations supporting Dream Placement 2017 and hosting the young people for a week in February 2017 includes: Allerdale Borough Council, Amcor, Ansaldo, Amec Foster Wheeler, Atkins, Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, Nucleargraduates, Baines Wilson LLP, Balfour Beatty, Bendalls Engineering, Carlisle City Council, REAC^T Engineering, Sealy Ltd, Carlisle United, Copeland Borough Council, Costain, Coulson, Cumbria Community Foundation, Thomas Graham, CN Group North West Evening Mail & InCumbria, Cyclife Groupe EDF, Direct Rail Services, Dodd & Co, Energus, Nugeneration Ltd, Nuvia, Sellafield Ltd, Forth Engineering, Gen2 GlaxoSmithKline, IDS Integrated, Story Homes, Story Contracting, Innovia, Jacobs, James Fisher Nuclear, Liberty Work and Leisure, Mott Macdonald, The Westmorland Family, Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust, National Nuclear Laboratory, NSG Environmental and Westlakes Engineering.
The panel who judged the entries is led by CforLP board chair Rebecca Weston who is Technical Director at Sellafield Ltd. It included George Beveridge, chair of Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership, John Grainger Stakeholder Director with Britain’s Energy Coast Business Cluster, Claire Dunn, chair of the Cumbria CIPD branch, Luke Dicicco from Choose Cumbria and members of the CforLP team.
Choose Cumbria is backing Dream Placement as part of its support for resilient recruitment and skills development. Other organisations involved include Cumbria Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, Britain’s Energy Coast Business Cluster and Carlisle Ambassadors.
Sarah adds: "CforLP is all about collaboration and Dream Placement demonstrates that when businesses work together great things can happen. Dream Placement 2016 saw over 200 students apply for a Dream Placement. After a rigorous selection process 52 won placements with 33 organisations.
“We have a terrific record of success with host companies and the young people who have taken part in the programme. They are all hugely enthusiastic about the difference it makes and the relationships it builds for every young person entering the competition.”
