New Careers Inspiration Hub launches in Barrow

Earlier this year, the Company purchased several retail properties in the town, including the former Debenhams, WHSmith and Bodyshop units. These vacant sites are being transformed into vibrant new spaces to provide the local community with education, outreach and recruitment services. It is hoped this investment will increase footfall in the town centre, helping to boost the local economy.

The Careers Inspiration Hub is the first site to open at the Portland Walk Campus, offering employment advice from BAE Systems and a range of Barrow and Furness employers and organisations.

    We're proud to launch our new Careers Inspiration Hub in the heart of Barrow to provide businesses and organisations a chance to showcase their employment opportunities. We're determined to play our part in the regeneration of this brilliant town. Our Portland Walk Campus is the embodiment of that work and we’re already seeing more shops and local businesses return to the town centre.

    Janet Garner, Future Workforce Director, BAE Systems’ Submarines business

    Westmorland and Furness Council has been given a fantastic opportunity to make a real difference through the Barrow Town Centre Regeneration Scheme by rejuvenating The Forum, the market and the surrounding area with Levelling Up funding. But we are far stronger and can achieve more together and it is brilliant to see the development of this Portland Walk Campus next door. It will be a further catalyst for positive change in the town centre and also really starts to give us the confidence that things are changing in Barrow and it is positive that people's career aspirations and life chances will be improved through the work going on here.

    Sam Plum, Chief Executive at Westmorland and Furness Council

Ulverston-based Oxley Developments is one of the Cumbrian organisations that will use the Portland Walk space to promote their opportunities.

    We were delighted to be invited by BAE Systems to get involved in this modern, collaborative and technology-led facility. As it’s based on the high street, it is perfectly placed to increase the visibility of all the opportunities available in the Furness area.

    Jayne Moorby, Oxley Developments’ Head of Marketing

The next stage of the Portland Walk Campus will transform the former WHSmith and Sweet Emporium sites into a bigger multi-use engagement hub. This will provide educational outreach, supplier engagement and business support for social enterprise activities.

The final investment will see the former Debenhams’ building transformed into a large new learning centre, with mock-ups to provide physical practice areas, bridging the gap between BAE Systems' Submarines Academy for Skills and Knowledge and the shipyard.