Training and outdoor learning to be priorities for Manx youth service

Outdoor education is one of six strategic priorities for the Isle of Man Youth Service

Improved outdoor learning is one of six priorities in a 10-year strategy to "meaningfully engage" young people, the Isle of Man Youth Service has said.

Its six priorities also include school holiday provision, training and employment and digitalisation.

The plan was launched at the service's annual conference.

Education Minister Julie Edge said it was vital to give people the "necessary skills, confidence, and opportunities to achieve their potential".

The strategy aims to provide "safe, well-equipped and accessible youth facilities" with the establishment of five "key youth centres" in Douglas, Onchan, Ramsey, Peel and Castletown.

A "quality assurance tool" will also be developed to "support continual improvement" of the centres.

'Opportunities and activities'

Another future priority would be using the views of young people to shape the services and "capture" how they viewed what was on offer for their age groups.

To improve outdoor learning the service plan to rebrand the former Ardwhallan education centre in Baldwin as the Outdoor Learning Centre to deliver a programme of "opportunities and activities".

That would be designed to help children aged seven to 11 get access to an "outdoor learning experience" and increase the number of young people using the centre for the Duke of Edinburgh's award challenges across all ages.

Under the strategy a "young leader programme" would be developed for those aged 15 and over, and the service itself would be modernised to become "cashless, digital and paperless".

Ms Edge said the document reflected a "dedication to fostering a supportive environment for young people" in order to build trust, respect and opportunities.

"They need to build positive relationships in a setting that is comfortable to them and this is what this plan aims to do," she added.

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