Department of Economic Development Minister Laurence Skelly MHK says that a new organisation to promote learning and development will help to support the Island’s economic growth. The Minister was speaking at the official launch event for the Learning and Development Network which is a not for profit networking organisation that has been set up to support learning and development within the Isle of Man. It brings together, and is supported by, professionals from the public, private and third sector with the aim of maximising the Island’s potential.
The official launch was held at Isle of Man College on November 4 and sponsored by Manx Telecom, the Department of Economic Development, Chartered Management Institute, Nedbank Private Wealth, and TLC Business Solutions. Minister Skelly said the Network would help to promote the development of the skills necessary to ensure the Island’s continued economic prosperity. He also applauded the Network’s recognition that learning and development should be viewed as a career long process, and not something that ends when students leave full-time education to enter the workplace.
Mary Wilson, Assistant Principal at Isle of Man College, opened the launch event and introduced Mark Payne, Chairman of the Learning & Development Network, who explained the background to the founding of the organisation. He also outlined the Network’s mission to provide a cross sector forum which supports the identification, delivery and development of high quality learning and development opportunities; the provision of a one stop directory of training providers, event organisers and venues in the Isle of Man; and the Network’s role in organising events that advance the quality of learning and development on the Island.
Isle of Man Constabulary Chief Constable Gary Roberts spoke about how the police service on the Island had introduced innovative approaches to training and development, and his speech was followed by Paul Craine, Co-ordinating Adviser 11-19 Education at the Department of Education and Children, who gave an insight into scientific theories about the nature of intelligence.
Closing the launch event, Mark Payne thanked members and guests for attending and those who had helped to get the organisation up and running. In particular, he expressed thanks to Long & Humphrey advocates and Dot Performance web design which have both provided valuable services essential for the launch of the Network.
At present, Network members include TLC Business Solutions, The Lewis Bateson Centre, The Children’s Centre, Smart Business Solutions, Paul Cubbon Training Services, Nedbank Private Wealth, Manx Telecom, Long & Humphrey, KLK Solutions, Just The Tonic, IPSP Limited, Gym And Tonic Limited, First Names Group, CPD (Corporate Personal Development), and Isle of Man Constabulary. There are four levels of membership available starting with ‘Browser’ status which offers a free service allowing access to a database of all courses that are available on the Island, along with a list of providers and venues. Individual, Corporate and Provider memberships are available for annual fees of ?25, ?50 and ?75 respectively.
For more information about the Learning & Development Network go to www.learningiom.com – for general enquiries call 676076 or email enquiries@learningiom.com
Photo - Speakers at the Learning & Development Network launch event are, left to right, Laurence Skelly MHK, Minister for the Department of Economic Development; Paul Craine, Co-ordinating Adviser 11-19 Education at the Department of Education and Children; Mary Wilson, Assistant Principal at Isle of Man College; Gary Roberts, Chief Constable of Isle of Man Constabulary; and Mark Payne, Chairman of the Learning & Development Network.
