BUSINESSES and training companies are gearing up to showcase their work and apprenticeship opportunities at the second Copeland’s Skills Fair.

The free event, organised by Copeland MP Trudy Harrison, returns on Thursday November 8, at The Solway Hall in Whitehaven from 3pm to 7pm.

It offers young people (and those looking to retrain) the opportunity to find out more about what is on offer in their area. This year, companies and organisations including the Royal Marines, North West Ambulance Service, West Lakes Adventure and Copeland Borough Council have been invited.

Mrs Harrison said: “I’ll be there on the day, enthusiastically supporting people of all ages looking for some career inspiration and opportunity.

“Without sponsorship, this skills fair wouldn’t be possible so I would like to thank sponsors NNL and Morgan Sindall for making it happen.”

Liane White of NNL said the company was delighted to be one of the main sponsors.

She said: “Developing talent in Cumbria is an essential part of our resourcing plans and NNL has invested significantly in our Early Career programmes which offer valuable experience and dedicated development programmes on which to build an exciting career within the nuclear sector.”

Dave Polkey, specialist operations director at Morgan Sindall, said: “The aim of the skills fair is to encourage young people to find out more about the different apprenticeship and training routes which are currently available for school leavers.”