Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership (CLEP) is inviting businesses and other interested organisations to join a special online event early in the New Year.

The online event is taking place from 2pm to 3.30pm on Monday, January 10, 2022.

Many businesses in the county are facing significant challenges in finding the people that they need for their workforce and the situation has been compounded by the impact of both the COVID-19 pandemic and EU Exit, both of which have affected the availability of the workforce.

Jo Lappin, CLEP’s Chief Executive, said: “Our businesses have had a challenging 2020 and 2021 and have demonstrated fabulous resilience in leading their businesses through these.

“However, as they look to move forward with the recovery of their business, their efforts are being hampered by real difficulties in finding the right people to fill the jobs that are available. This was an issue that we had identified before COVID-19 and EU Exit, but the impact of this has hit much harder and earlier than anticipated.

“There will be an opportunity to hear from a number of guest speakers during the event and we will kick start the discussion with presentations on the Local Skills Report and the Labour Supply Action Plan. I would really encourage our businesses to come along and have their say.”

Businesses interested in attending can register using the following link: - https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84169525155?pwd=RC84Slo1Vzk0RndFMUZESmQ3enB3UT09