Carlisle Skills Fair To Return Following Record Breaking Turnout
Carlisle Skills Fair is set to return next year after its latest event attracted a record-breaking turnout of more than 2,500 young people and job seekers from across Cumbria.
The 13th annual event will take place at Carlisle College on Thursday, January 21, 2027, bringing together people looking for work and career opportunities with employers and organisations offering training and skills development.
The fair will run from 2pm until 6.30pm and is designed to give job seekers direct access to employers, education providers and training organisations. The event has become an established part of the local employment and skills calendar, attracting people from Carlisle and communities across the wider region.
The event is organised by former Carlisle MP John Stevenson, who said the skills fair had become a permanent fixture for many people and businesses across Cumbria. He described organising and hosting the event as one of his proudest achievements.
The latest fair saw more than 2,500 young people and job seekers attend, alongside a record number of employers and training providers. The strong turnout highlighted the continuing demand for opportunities that connect people with employers and organisations able to provide relevant skills and experience.
Mr Stevenson also highlighted concerns surrounding the number of young people who are not in education, employment or training. He said the issue remains an urgent national challenge and argued that initiatives such as the Carlisle Skills Fair can help address the gap between young people and the opportunities available to them.
The event aims to help attendees understand what skills and experience are required for jobs and careers that will shape the future workforce. By bringing employers and training providers together in one location, visitors can explore different routes into employment and identify opportunities that may suit their interests and abilities.
For young people in particular, the fair can provide an opportunity to speak directly with organisations about potential career paths. It also gives employers and training providers a platform to explain what they are looking for and how people can develop the qualifications and practical experience needed.
The organisers are encouraging people to put the 2027 date in their diaries ahead of the event. The return follows several years of growing attendance and increasing participation from businesses and organisations supporting employment and skills development across the region.
Support for the event comes from Carlisle College, Inspira and Carlisle JobCentre. Their involvement reflects the wider focus on improving access to education, training, employment and career advice for people across Carlisle and Cumbria.
The continued growth of the skills fair comes at a time when employers are looking for people with the right combination of qualifications, practical abilities and workplace experience. Events that allow job seekers to meet employers directly can provide a useful route for people who are considering a change in career or looking for their first opportunity.
The fair also supports the wider ambition of strengthening the local workforce and ensuring residents can access opportunities close to home. Organisers believe giving people the right information and connections can help them make informed decisions about their education, training and employment.
The previous record attendance has increased expectations for the next event, with organisers hoping to build on the participation achieved this year. More employers, training providers and job seekers could create further opportunities for people looking to develop their skills or move into employment.
Mr Stevenson said he remained committed to ensuring people across Carlisle and Cumbria could take advantage of the opportunities available to them. He also thanked Carlisle College, Inspira, Carlisle JobCentre, sponsors and other supporters for their continued backing of the event.
With the next Carlisle Skills Fair already scheduled, job seekers and young people across the region will have another opportunity to meet employers, discover training options and learn more about potential careers. The event will take place at Carlisle College from 2pm to 6.30pm on January 21, 2027.
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