Last updated 11:41, Thursday, 03 July 2008

A NEW body is to be formed to oversee learning and skills in Cumbria.

The Cumbria Employment and Skills Board will be charged with overhauling post-16 and workforce training in the county to ensure employers have the necessary pool of talent available locally.

The board represents a regionalisation of the Learning and Skills Council.

A chairman and two non-executive directors are now being sought to lead the agency.

The first meeting of the board is pencilled in for September 4.

Cumbria Chamber of Commerce has been instrumental in driving forward the project.

Chief executive Rob Johnston said: “With the changes taking place we really felt the need to keep up with places such as Manchester, which have already developed employment skills strategies, so Cumbria is not seen as the poor relation.

“This means developing a strategy to ensure employer needs are listened to and addressed as well as making sure a fair share of the funding still becomes available to Cumbria once the local LSC representation has disappeared.

“We’re now at the point where individual business people need to get involved, so I would encourage those with an interest in skills for business to put themselves forward.”

For further information visit www.cumbriachamber.co.uk or to discuss contact Heather Hunter on 07500 227992 or email heatherhunter.esb@btinternet.com