
Closing the gap: Employment for all
Wed 9 Sept · 09:30
People First Conference Centre
Venue events →
Similar events
View all →About This Event
On 9 September 2026, a conference titled 'Closing the gap: Employment for all' is taking place at the People First Conference Centre in Carlisle. The event is free of charge and aims to widen access to jobs and help unemployed and economically inactive people into work.
Explore employer support in Cumbria to widen access to jobs and help unemployed and economically inactive people into work.
There is a new scheme called “connect to work” which is being delivered in partnership with DWP and Inspira aimed at bridging the employment gap for people with long term unemployment. The event will also showcase other employability schemes such as work experience tackling youth unemployment and NEETs, supported internships, and supporting care experienced applicants.
Table 1
Our Brighter Futures
Find out more about how your organisation can support care experienced young people into employment. Hear one person and employers experience.
Table 2
Connect to Work.
This programme is designed to support disabled people into employment. Hear about how being a disability confident employer can encourage more people into the journey
Table 3
Find out how your organisation and your people can benefit from upskilling to meet tomorrow’s skills demand through accessing skills training and development.
Table 4
Work Experience and the Youth Guarantee.
Work experience is a great route into employment. Hear from employers and individuals about how they have engaged in the DWP Work Experience Programme and how these have benefitted both the organisations and individuals.
Speakers bio:
Deborah Naylor
Jack Bland
A Recruitment Consultant Team Leader with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), leading employer engagement and recruitment activity across Cumbria. He works closely with businesses, HR professionals, and local partners to connect employers with skilled candidates, support workforce planning, and develop effective recruitment solutions.
With a strong understanding of the local labour market and employer needs, Jack helps organisations address recruitment challenges, access diverse talent pools, and promote inclusive employment practices. He is passionate about building meaningful partnerships that support business growth while creating opportunities for people to move into sustainable employmen
Please note:
Reminder emails will be sent to you the day before, with a further reminder on the day of the event.
Photography and video production may be taking place at the event, and these images may be used in the CIPD newsletters.
By attending the event, you are giving your consent for your image to be used on any CIPD promotional materials.
As we are supplying refreshments, if you can no longer attend, please cancel your place either on Eventbrite, responding to this email.
This event may include an external speaker who has prepared their own presentation. Any views or opinions expressed by the speaker are their own and do not reflect those of the CIPD.
If you require any reasonable adjustments to enhance your experience, please get in contact with us by responding to this email and we will do our best to accommodate.
Description supplied by the event organiser.
Weather on the day
Mainly clear · 11°C
Feels like 8°C · Chance of rain 17% · Wind 19 km/h
Forecast from Open-Meteo, updated 2 hours ago. Accuracy drops beyond a few days out.
Similar Events in Carlisle
View all →
Free EntryResponding Well – Domestic Abuse Training
Thu, 24 Sept 2026
Cumbria House - Conference Room A

NAV4 Lakes Mountain 40
Sat, 10 Apr 2027

Project 1917 – Help Shape Our 110th Anniversary Celebrations (Roxburgh)
Fri, 18 Sept 2026
Wilton Dean Hall
Free EntryKeswick Mountain Festival
Fri, 21 May 2027
Crow Park
Free EntryKendal Calling
Thu, 29 Jul 2027
Lowther Deer Park
£99Truck Driving Experience — Carlisle
Sat, 5 Sept 2026
Kirkbride Airfield
Frequently asked questions
Closing the gap: Employment for all takes place on Wednesday, 9 September 2026 at 09:30.
Closing the gap: Employment for all is held at People First Conference Centre in Carlisle (Milbourne Street, Carlisle, CA2 5XB).
Entry to Closing the gap: Employment for all is free.
Tickets for Closing the gap: Employment for all can be booked via Eventbrite using the "Check Tickets & Live Prices" button on this page, which opens the official booking site in a new tab.
Staying overnight?
Hotels within walking distance of People First Conference Centre.
Ad · Booking.com affiliate link

Closing the gap: Employment for all
Editorial Summary
On 9 September 2026, a conference titled 'Closing the gap: Employment for all' is taking place at the People First Conference Centre in Carlisle. The event is free of charge and aims to widen access to jobs and help unemployed and economically inactive people into work.
This summary was automatically generated from event data sourced from official ticketing providers.
Organiser’s full description
Explore employer support in Cumbria to widen access to jobs and help unemployed and economically inactive people into work.
There is a new scheme called “connect to work” which is being delivered in partnership with DWP and Inspira aimed at bridging the employment gap for people with long term unemployment. The event will also showcase other employability schemes such as work experience tackling youth unemployment and NEETs, supported internships, and supporting care experienced applicants.
Table 1
Our Brighter Futures
Find out more about how your organisation can support care experienced young people into employment. Hear one person and employers experience.
Table 2
Connect to Work.
This programme is designed to support disabled people into employment. Hear about how being a disability confident employer can encourage more people into the journey
Table 3
Find out how your organisation and your people can benefit from upskilling to meet tomorrow’s skills demand through accessing skills training and development.
Table 4
Work Experience and the Youth Guarantee.
Work experience is a great route into employment. Hear from employers and individuals about how they have engaged in the DWP Work Experience Programme and how these have benefitted both the organisations and individuals.
Speakers bio:
Deborah Naylor
Jack Bland
A Recruitment Consultant Team Leader with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), leading employer engagement and recruitment activity across Cumbria. He works closely with businesses, HR professionals, and local partners to connect employers with skilled candidates, support workforce planning, and develop effective recruitment solutions.
With a strong understanding of the local labour market and employer needs, Jack helps organisations address recruitment challenges, access diverse talent pools, and promote inclusive employment practices. He is passionate about building meaningful partnerships that support business growth while creating opportunities for people to move into sustainable employmen
Please note:
Reminder emails will be sent to you the day before, with a further reminder on the day of the event.
Photography and video production may be taking place at the event, and these images may be used in the CIPD newsletters.
By attending the event, you are giving your consent for your image to be used on any CIPD promotional materials.
As we are supplying refreshments, if you can no longer attend, please cancel your place either on Eventbrite, responding to this email.
This event may include an external speaker who has prepared their own presentation. Any views or opinions expressed by the speaker are their own and do not reflect those of the CIPD.
If you require any reasonable adjustments to enhance your experience, please get in contact with us by responding to this email and we will do our best to accommodate.
Description supplied by the event organiser.
📍 Venue
People First Conference CentreMilbourne Street, Carlisle, CA2 5XB
Denton Holme, Carlisle
Get Directions →❓ Frequently asked questions
When is Closing the gap: Employment for all?
Closing the gap: Employment for all takes place on Wednesday, 9 September 2026 at 09:30.
Where is Closing the gap: Employment for all taking place?
Closing the gap: Employment for all is held at People First Conference Centre in Carlisle (Milbourne Street, Carlisle, CA2 5XB).
How much are tickets for Closing the gap: Employment for all?
Entry to Closing the gap: Employment for all is free.
How do I get tickets for Closing the gap: Employment for all?
Tickets for Closing the gap: Employment for all can be booked via Eventbrite using the "Check Tickets & Live Prices" button on this page, which opens the official booking site in a new tab.
🏨 Staying overnight?
Hotels within walking distance of People First Conference Centre
Ad · Stay22 affiliate link
Price
Free Entry
Date
Until Wednesday, 9 September 2026
Time
Weather
feels like 8°C · chance of rain 17% · wind 19 km/h
EventsList curates 162,000+ events across the UK. Tickets purchased via the venue or authorised sellers only.
Similar Events in Carlisle
View all →
FREEResponding Well – Domestic Abuse Training
📍 Cumbria House - Conference Room A

NAV4 Lakes Mountain 40

Project 1917 – Help Shape Our 110th Anniversary Celebrations (Roxburgh)
📍 Wilton Dean Hall
FREE—
Keswick Mountain Festival
📍 Crow Park
FREE—
Kendal Calling
📍 Lowther Deer Park

Gift voucher · 12 months to book
Truck Driving Experience — Carlisle
📍 Kirkbride Airfield
From £99
More things to do in Carlisle
- TEBAY RECYCLING CENTRE· Thursday, 3 September 2026
- Try Before You Buy - FIX-R Liquid 10 & FLEXI-GRP (FREE event)· Thursday, 3 September 2026
- Northern Europe Hydrogen Awareness Visit· Thursday, 3 September 2026
- Crafternooners at Carlisle Library· Thursday, 3 September 2026
- Biker Down Cumbria· Thursday, 3 September 2026
- The Brickyard Comedy Club· Thursday, 3 September 2026
- Jimmy Carr: Laughs Funny· Thursday, 3 September 2026
- Smoove & Turrell: The Singles Tour· Thursday, 3 September 2026
- Jimmy Carr· Thursday, 3 September 2026
- Nordic Walking For The Fells - Keswick· Friday, 4 September 2026
- CLIFTON VILLAGE HALL· Friday, 4 September 2026
- Processing of CRI-U Samples - Wet Sieving· Friday, 4 September 2026
- Blood on the clocktower· Friday, 4 September 2026
- The Music Of Fleetwood Mac By Candlelight· Friday, 4 September 2026