Cumbria’s people are one of the area’s most valuable natural resources with a first class reputation for productivity, low absenteeism and low staff turnover. People who live in the area want to stay living in the County and enjoying the excellent quality of life offered so remain loyal to local industry and organisations. The local workforce has proved itself remarkably resilient and keen to develop new skills needed to adapt to the 25 year shift from heavy industry to new technologies, for example to renewable energy and specialist manufacturing. Of Cumbria’s population of 496,000 people, 61 per cent are of working age.