A new, inclusive educational training facility is set to open doors for anyone working – or seeking to work - in childcare or healthcare in the Isle of Man. Isle Learn Limited has been approved as a City & Guilds Centre, delivering QCF (Qualifications and Credit Framework) Levels 2 and 3 in Children’s Care, Learning and Development, and the QCF Level 2 and 3 Diploma in Health and Social Care.

Founders Eddie Hall and Ann Gilmore saw the need for accessible vocational qualifications for healthcare and childcare workers on the Isle of Man.

Eddie is a registered nurse with over 25 years experience in adult nursing care; he is also the owner and training manager of a well-established local nursing agency. Ann has over 20 years experience in both the adult and child care sectors: starting out as a nursery nurse, she progressed to become a qualified teacher, assessor and internal verifier. Up until recently Ann was a Lecturer in Health and Social Care at the Isle of Man College, leaving to return to work in healthcare.

Ann and Eddie are both passionate about providing an exceptional level of training. The introduction of the Regulation of Care Bill in 2013 requires that all care services must ensure that 50% of their staff hold a Level 2 or 3 QCF qualification. The qualifications offered through Isle Learn meet the regulatory requirements of both the health and childcare sectors. With this in mind, Isle Learn represents a fantastic opportunity for those wishing to gain or build on key care sector qualifications.

The learning experience has been designed to be as flexible and accessible as possible, with evening and weekend workshops available. Learners must either be working in or volunteering either in childcare or health care, there are no formal entry qualifications for these courses, so a learner’s academic status prior to enrolling need not be a barrier. Ann commented, “We are looking for learners who are competent in the workplace, are highly motivated to learn and are natural carers."

This is great news for the childcare and health care sectors and will allow employees to achieve up-to-date qualifications while remaining in employment. Learners will benefit from attending weekly workshops where they will be taught the knowledge requirements of their Diploma. They will also be allocated an assessor who will visit them regularly in the workplace assessing their vocational competence and supporting them with their qualification.

"It is our job to empower our learners,” says Ann. “Learners are often aware of workplace policies but quite often don't understand how these policies relate to their day-to-day role. We will help our learners to develop a greater knowledge and understanding of their roles and responsibilities. The great thing about QCF qualifications is that employers can work closely with their staff supporting them to choose optional units which reflect their individual role within the organisation, this then helps learners to achieve a personalised QCF, which showcases their particular area of expertise.

"Ensuring that carers have the right training is so important to the residents of the Isle of Man, as quality education leads to quality care delivery. We hope that this positive experience will encourage our learners to want to learn more. Achieving these qualifications could be life-changing for them, as well as for those in their care."

The first cohort of learners began their Diploma in Health and Social Care qualification in June 2015 and the Diploma in Children's Care Learning and Development is scheduled to begin on the 2nd September. The training will continue on a rolling programme, and financial assistance may be made available under certain criteria.

If you would like to find out more about Isle Learn, simply email Ann at anngilmore@islelearn.im or call 618145.