The South East Regional Minister Jonathan Shaw (pictured) visited the Isle of Wight recently and took an interest in a range of projects associated with local skills and learning on the island.

He was particularly interested to learn about the Eco Island vision, an ambitious plan to create a sustainable and thriving economy for the Island,which will be achieved by attracting innovative businesses, and by encouraging strong and healthy local communities.

Skills and learning are a key part of this vision.

At the Isle of Wight’s newly-opened Carnival Learning Centre in Westridge, Ryde, the Minister met people who are involved in learning the skills associated with Carnival such as construction, costume-making, design, dance and movement.

The centre was officially opened just over a fortnight ago (25 April 2008), and as well as teaching carnival skills, it will also host cultural exchanges supported by the Arts Council. The first of these will be a teaching residency at the Carnival Centre by a group teaching traditional Bahamian Junkanoo. Isle of Wight residents will be taught how to make the colourful, handmade costumes and music, famed in the Bahamas.

At Carisbrooke High School, the Minister also met young people who had come together from schools around the island to be involved in the Young Chamber. This initiative has given school age and young people an opportunity to understand business and the work place.

As part of his visit, Jonathan Shaw also went on a walkabout with community representatives from Newport’s Pan Estate. Residents are being consulted about the Pan Urban Extension project, which will create between 800 to 1,000 homes and new jobs on 20ha of former agricultural land. He found out more about Pan’s Family and Adult Learning Programmes which provide a range of formal and informal learning opportunities.

The Minister rounded off his visit at Vestas Blades UK, where he met workers being trained in the art of wind turbine blade making. The company supports the Eco Island vision by demonstrating a commitment to making its product become sustainable throughout its life cycle, including: materials sourcing, manufacture, transport, use and disposal.

Jonathan Shaw said:

“My visit has shown me the wide range of opportunities open to those on the Isle of Wight looking to learn new skills or develop existing ones. I was delighted to hear that the Young Chamber programme has now gained national recognition and awards and will be rolled out across the UK.

“Good training schemes and learning programmes like Young Chamber and the others I have seen today are vital if we are to ensure that people of all ages can benefit from employment opportunities locally.”

Isle of Wight Council Leader David Pugh said:

“We are delighted that the Minister has made this visit to the Island and has seen first hand the many initiatives we have developed to harness and grow the skills of our residents.

“Central to our ambitious aspirations to develop a sustainable Eco Island is the drive to build a thriving economy and the development of skills, knowledge and job prospects forms a central part of that strategy”

Isle of Wight Community News @Island Pulse.