A CONSERVATIVE minister has visited Cumbria to learn about vocational schemes for young adults.

Damian Green, who was appointed the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions last year, met Trudy Harrison, Conservative general election candidate for Copeland on the visit today.

They visited Unit 3 in Millom to learn about the positive outcomes of the programme, which helps people to learn the skills employers need.

Funded by the Department of Work and Pensions, and in association with the Millom Network Centre, the programme provides a broad range of options. This includes woodwork, plastering and decorating as well as offering support in numeracy, literacy and personal skills.

The Millom-based charity has been praised by the Conservative cabinet member.

Mr Green said: "I am really inspired by what I have seen here today, and it’s great to see my department being able to work through organisations like these to help people who are finding it difficult to get back into work."

The Work and Skills Centre at Unit 3 is one of five employment sites in Cumbria set up with the support of the Cumbria Business Growth Hub.

Mrs Harrison said: "Programmes like this are exactly what I want to see more of in Copeland. The level of practical skills on offer at Unit 3 is fantastic and the support they are giving to local people really helps make a difference to their lives.”

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is responsible for welfare, pensions and child maintenance policy.

It administers the state pension and a range of working age, disability and ill health benefits to over 22 million claimants and customers.

The benefits system has been a hot topic in the latest General Election campaigns.

Copeland voters will be taking to the polls next Thursday.

The other General Election candidates in Copeland are: Gillian Troughton (Labour); Herbie Crossman (UKIP) and Rebecca Hanson (Liberal Democrat).