The University of Cumbria welcomed employers from across the country to its Barrow campus for Building the Future Workforce.

The employer-focused event on Tuesday, March 3, was designed to explore skills development and future workforce needs.

The event brought together industry representatives, academic leaders and members of the university’s External Advisory Board to discuss how higher education and employers can work more closely to support workforce planning and long-term economic growth.

Claire Aindow, Pro Vice Chancellor (Growth and Development) at the University of Cumbria, outlined the university’s regional role and commitment to delivering accessible, inclusive higher education.

Claire said: “This event demonstrated the power of partnership in driving sustainable economic growth.

“By bringing together academic expertise and employer insight, we are ensuring that our curriculum, workforce development activity and strategic investment reflect the real needs of industry.

“Through our Towards 2030 strategy, we remain committed to supporting talent development and strengthening the connection between higher education and the communities we serve.”

She emphasised that the university is distinct from many other institutions, serving as an exemplar of dispersed learning designed for and shaped by the communities of Cumbria, with provision embedded across the region to meet local need and opportunity.

Dr Kate Dixon, Director of the Institute of Engineering, Computing and Advanced Manufacturing and Professor Yanguo Jing Dean of the Institute of Business, Industry and Leadership, were on hand to introduce the university’s portfolio areas, emphasising the importance of close collaboration with employers.

They highlighted the breadth of provision available, including undergraduate programmes, degree apprenticeships and continuing professional development (CPD) courses, all designed to support workforce development and meet evolving industry needs.

Jayne Moorby (Head of Marketing, The Oxley Group) and Phil Redfern (Managing Director, REACT Engineering) contributed perspectives from the University of Cumbria External Advisory Board, reinforcing the importance of partnership in aligning provision with industry demand.

Jayne said: “The University of Cumbria investment in the Barrow campus provides a huge opportunity for local employers to both access graduate talent and to up-skill their current teams.

“Today’s business engagement session was hugely positive with great conversations around shaping curriculum and collaborating to improve skills and support business growth.”

Attendees also toured the Barrow facilities, gaining insight into the campus’s modern learning environments and specialist spaces designed to support advanced manufacturing, engineering and professional disciplines.

There was an opportunity for attendees to visit a number of breakout sessions focused on key priority areas, including Engineering and Computing, Business Management, Project Management, and Supply Chain Logistics.

The event reflected Barrow’s growing role in advanced manufacturing and engineering, alongside the university’s continued investment in its Barrow campus as a hub for workforce development.

Phil Redfern, Managing Director, REACT Engineering and University of Cumbria External Advisory Board member said: “Strong collaboration between universities and employers is essential if we’re going to build the skilled workforce Cumbria needs. The Barrow campus is a great opportunity to strengthen that link and support the region’s long-term growth.”

While Steve Wood, Employer Engagement Manager at the University of Cumbria, said: “This event created valuable space for open and constructive dialogue between employers and the university.

“It was encouraging to see such strong engagement from industry colleagues, with conversations focused on practical workforce challenges and future skills needs.

“The Barrow campus provides an important setting for these discussions, enabling us to listen carefully to employers and continue shaping provision that is responsive, flexible and closely aligned to regional priorities.”

Discussions throughout the day aligned with the University of Cumbria’s Towards 2030 (T2030) strategy, which places people, place and partnership at the heart of its mission and seeks to respond directly to regional priorities.

By hosting the Building the Future Workforce event, the university reinforced its commitment to acting as a bridge between education and industry, ensuring that skills provision remains closely aligned with employer needs and that opportunities for talent development continue to support long-term social and economic growth across the region.