Flexible STEM work experience, built around you
Placement+ connects young people aged 18–25 with local employers, giving you the opportunity to gain meaningful, hands-on experience in STEM – science, technology, engineering and maths – and discover where a STEM career could take you.
For businesses, it’s a valuable opportunity to engage with enthusiastic young talent, share expertise, and help shape Cumbria’s future STEM workforce, creating benefits for both young people and employers.
Who is Placement+ for?
Placement+ is for young people aged 18–25 in South Cumbria who want to gain experience, explore STEM careers and develop skills for their future.
You might be:
You don’t need to have your future career mapped out. Placement+ gives you the opportunity to experience of a real workplace, learn from people working in STEM and explore the range of careers available.
Don’t forget, STEM is broader than you might think! Opportunities can span science, technology, engineering and maths, as well as the many roles and industries where STEM skills are used every day.
Experience that fits around your life
We know that not everyone can commit to a traditional full-time placement. That’s why Placement+ can be flexible around your circumstances and existing commitments.
Depending on the opportunity and organisation, you could spend an afternoon or a day each week with an employer, fit your placement around your college or university timetable, or complete your experience over a more concentrated period. We’ll work with you and the employer to find an arrangement that provides meaningful experience for both. Placements can take place anytime, up until the end of June 2027.
We have a range of employers ready to take on volunteers to participant in placements in:
Ready to take the next step?
Register your interest below. We don’t need grades or a CV, just tell us a little about yourself and your interests!
A member of the team will contact you to explore options and match you with one of our host companies, and provide guidance on next steps. If you’re nervous about applying, no need to worry! We’ll provide support and development opportunities along the way.
Questions? Contact Cate.Barnes@cforlp.org.uk
CforLP have worked in collaboration businesses and educators across Cumbria since 2011, co-designing meaningful and impactful programmes for young people. Placement+ builds on the success of our Dream Placement programme, and gives employers a flexible way to provide meaningful STEM workplace experience for young people aged 18–25.
A placement doesn’t necessarily mean committing to a traditional six-week, full-time programme.
You might be able to host someone for one afternoon or day each week, offer experience around their college or university timetable, provide a defined STEM project, or offer a more intensive placement.
By taking part, your organisation can help young people understand the breadth of STEM careers available, develop their skills and confidence, and see first-hand what working in your industry is really like.
At the same time, you’ll have an opportunity to engage with emerging talent, showcase your organisation and help develop the skills Cumbria needs for the future.
Our team will provide support and guidance to help scope a project for a young person coming into your organisation, and ensure you’re prepared to host a young person on a voluntary basis.
If you’re interested in hosting a placement, or if you have any questions, please contact Sarah.Glass@cforlp.org.uk
For more information, take a look at the recording below from our partner meeting on 18 March 2026:
CforLP is joint-funding the Placement+ programme with offshore wind energy company Ørsted through the Walney Extension Skills Fund.
