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A Valuable Workforce
The people in Cumbria are well-recognised
as 'one of the area's most valuable
natural resources'. The Cumbrian
workforce has a first class reputation
for productivity, low absenteeism
and low staff turnover.
In the shift from heavy industry
to new technologies the workforce
has shown itself to be loyal, keen
to acquire new skills and adaptable
to change. Flexible working patterns
are considered a fact of life.
Competitive
Employment Costs
Latest available statistics show
that average male wage rates are
6.5% below the GB average. Wage
rates for women are 12% below the
GB average.
(Source: New Earnings Survey 1996)
Higher Survival
Rates
New businesses in Cumbria have significantly
higher survival rates than the national
average being nearly 4% higher after
2 years and nearly 6% higher after
4 years.
Education &
Training
Primary and
Secondary
There are around 300 primary and
over 40 secondary schools, along
with several independent schools
at preparatory and secondary level.
In comparison with the rest of
England, Cumbria has a higher than
average number of Primary School
pupils obtaining Level 4 grades
and a higher than average number
of Secondary School pupils achieving
5 or more GCSEs.
Further and
Higher
A growing number of Higher and Further
Education establishments provide
education and training for young
people and adults within the region.
These include: Westlakes International
Research and Graduate Centre; University
of Northumbria - Carlisle Campus;
Cumbria College of Art and Design;
University College of St. Martin
- Cumbria; Newton Rigg College and
Furness College (Associate Colleges
of the University of Central Lancaster);
Kendal College, Carlisle College
and West Cumbria College.
As well as offering all levels
of qualifications, from NVQs to
MBAs, these institutions work closely
with local business to provide specialist
training, research and consultancy.
Regional Universities
In the north of England, there are
18 universities within 2 hour drive,
plus a further 7 in southern Scotland.
Cumbria Learning
& Skills Council
Formerly Cumbria Training &
Enterprise Council, the aim of Cumbria
Learning & Skills Council is
to 'enhance skills for businesses
across Cumbria'. The organisation
provides information help and advice
to businesses, and specific training
programmes, as well as offering
discretionary training grants.
In all there are around 180 training
providers in the county offering
over 8,000 courses.
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