Tiny Cumbrian Organisation Joins Global Giants After Prestigious Skills Award
A Cumbrian organisation with just five employees has achieved international recognition for its work in developing essential workplace skills. Industrial Solutions Hub, based in Cleator Moor, has become the first organisation in the county to receive the Skills Builder Silver Excellence Mark. The achievement places it alongside globally recognised businesses.
The Skills Builder framework is used by major organisations including Amazon, IBM and Lloyds Banking Group to promote skills such as communication, teamwork, creativity and problem solving. Industrial Solutions Hub earned the accreditation for its work connecting young people with industry through practical learning programmes. The organisation focuses on strengthening Cumbria's future workforce and supporting economic growth. Its programmes are designed to prepare students for careers in emerging industries.
Skills lead Hannah Pears said the award demonstrates that even a small organisation can deliver work on the same standard as major national employers. She said the programmes are designed to bridge the gap between education and industry while helping young people build confidence and essential employability skills. The initiative also aims to tackle local skills shortages by preparing students for technical careers. Around 470 young people took part in the organisation's outreach activities during the last academic year.
Among the flagship projects was the Robotics School Sprint Challenge, delivered with the Robotics and AI Collaboration, where students built and programmed robots to handle mock nuclear waste barrels. The organisation also offers Digital Cumbria work experience placements and targeted support for underrepresented groups, including care leavers entering apprenticeships. Assessments showed that 92 per cent of participants improved their essential workplace skills after completing the robotics programme.
Economic development leaders have welcomed the achievement as an important milestone for Cumbria. They said the accreditation recognises practical work to improve young people's confidence and readiness for employment. The award is expected to strengthen opportunities for future generations across the region.
The recognition highlights how smaller organisations can make a significant impact by investing in education, innovation and workforce development. Industrial Solutions Hub hopes the accreditation will encourage more young people to pursue careers in advanced industries while helping local employers address future skills needs. The organisation says it will continue expanding its programmes to support both students and businesses across Cumbria. The achievement marks a major moment for skills development in the county.
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