A manager has been appointed to develop a project to transform education and careers for young people in Cumbria.

Caroline Ledward has been appointed by Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership to lead the Cumbria Careers Hub project, one of only 20 to be piloted in England.

It is designed to improve the quality of careers education and guidance and give young people more and better access to effective work experiences by connecting schools and colleges with employers and careers programme providers.

The hub is a group of 20 to 40 schools and colleges working with universities, training providers, employers and career professionals to improve careers education.

Working with the Careers and Enterprise Company, local education and skills providers and employers, the LEP is set to formally launch the county’s hub in the coming weeks.

Caroline said: “My role will be to ensure that the Careers Hub effectively co-ordinates activities between our schools, colleges, enterprise advisors and employers, as well as evaluating progress as it becomes established.

The LEP’s head of employment and skills Craig Ivison said: “The Cumbria Careers Hub will contribute to our careers strategy for Cumbria, improve local careers education and help prepare young people for the world of work.

“Caroline has a wealth of experience, having held a range of practitioner and management roles in education, skills, career management, youth work and youth support services.”