Josh MacAlister MP has launched a new campaign to ensure every young person in West Cumbria has a pathway into work, education or training, using the region’s growing economy to create more opportunities for the next generation.
The NEET Zero campaign was launched at this year’s Festival of Work at Lakes College, where Josh was joined by Skills Minister Baroness Jacqui Smith, alongside local employers, education and training providers.
The campaign takes its name from the ambition of driving the number of young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET) as close to zero as possible, ensuring no young person is left behind as West Cumbria’s economy continues to grow.
The launch came during what was the biggest Festival of Work to date, with more than 1,100 school pupils from across West Cumbria attending to explore future careers. Josh sponsored this year’s event, giving students the opportunity to meet more than 80 employers, universities and training providers, learning about apprenticeships, technical education, further and higher education, and the wide range of careers available locally.
Josh MacAlister MP said:
“West Cumbria has an incredibly bright future. From clean energy and advanced manufacturing to healthcare, construction and digital technology, new opportunities are opening up across our area. My priority is making sure local young people are first in line to benefit from them.
“That’s what NEET Zero is all about. Every young person deserves a clear pathway into work, education or training. We should never accept that anyone leaves school without hope, direction or opportunity.
“The Festival of Work shows what is possible when schools, colleges, employers and training providers come together. Seeing more than 1,100 young people meeting over 80 organisations under one roof was genuinely inspiring.
“I’m proud to have supported the event and grateful to everyone who helped make it such a success. Together, we can build a future where every young person in West Cumbria has the chance to develop their talents, secure a good job and build their life here.”
The Festival of Work, organised by All Together Cumbria and Morgan Sindall and hosted by Lakes College, has grown year-on-year and has become a key fixture in West Cumbria’s education and skills calendar, helping young people make informed choices about their futures while strengthening links between education and local industry.
Andrew Dodds, Social Enterprise Manager at All Together Cumbria, said:
“We were delighted to host the NEET Zero Summit as part of the Festival of Work 2026. Striving for NEET Zero links very closely to the strategic aims of All Together Cumbria, which is to support young people and adults into meaningful employment locally. The Festival of Work is part of a programme of activity to support these aims and brought together a wide range of businesses and stakeholders to inspire over 1,000 secondary school students on the wide spectrum of rewarding career opportunities on their doorstep.”
While in West Cumbria Baroness Smith also visited Energy Coast UTC.
Josh MacAlister MP 