A chair has been named for a new body which will be responsible for bridging the gap between the current skills of the Cumbrian workforce and the needs of local businesses and the wider economy.
Graham Lamont, managing partner of accountancy firm Lamont Pridmore, has become the first chair of the new Employment and Skills Board for Cumbria.
Developed through a partnership between Cumbria County Council, Cumbria Vision and the Learning and Skills Council (LSC), the Cumbria Employment and Skills Board will be led by up to 10 local employers drawn from a range of key Cumbrian business sectors. The private and public sector partnership will work to identify the skills needs of the Cumbrian economy and communicate these to Government agencies and education and skills providers across the county.
A well known figure in the north west business community, Graham Lamont is also an author and lecturer on accountancy and performance improvement matters. He is the founding president of the Cumbria Chamber of Commerce and past chairman of the Cumberland Society of Chartered Accountants. He is currently Joint Chair of Theatre by the Lake in Keswick, Vice Chair of the West Cumbria Strategic Partnership, and on the North West Regional Board of the LSC.
Graham said:
"I am looking forward to help deliver the skills businesses want and to support the creation of employment and training opportunities for the people of Cumbria. I believe that we can compete with the best in the world and when this is achieved we will all enjoy the success and the economic prosperity that this will bring."
Welcoming Mr Lamont to his new position, Richard Greenwood, Chief Executive of Cumbria Vision, said:
"The creation of this board is a vital link in making sure that people can enter employment equipped with work-ready skills. Too many Cumbrian young people nowadays are finishing their education with inadequate or inappropriate qualifications that don’t meet the needs of Cumbrian companies. Without a suitably skilled workforce, some of our key industry sectors face an uncertain future."
Peter Stybelski, Chief Executive of Cumbria County Council, said:
"Graham is the ideal candidate to take forward the Cumbria Employment and Skills Board. His extensive background in the private sector, combined with his ongoing work for the LSC is perfect for establishing a streamlined and efficient line of communication between employers and skills providers. It gives Cumbria a direct line into regional and national policy making."
Emer Clarke, Area Director for the LSC in Cumbria said:
"Graham’s appointment is a great start for Cumbria’s Employment and Skills Board. His skills and experience will be invaluable in leading the Board with its important work which will be key to the future of the county and which complements the LSC’s vision for young people and adults to have knowledge and skills matching the best in the world and to be part of a truly competitive workforce."
Notes
The photo (jpg) shows Graham Lamont.
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