Junior Achievement Isle of Man has introduced the Island’s first accredited qualification for volunteering. The Community Volunteering Qualification (CVQ) was launched to audiences at the Isle of Man International Business School and the Claremont Hotel in Douglas, attracting more than 100 attendees, including the chief executive of Young Enterprise UK East of England region Paul Beeson. JA IOM chief executive Sue Cook explained that the CVQ was a nationally recognised qualification awarded by the educational charity ASDAN (Award Scheme Development and Accreditation Network) - the UK’s fourth largest awarding body - and had been made possible with support from Barclays Wealth in the Isle of Man. ‘The CVQ is not only a first for the Island, but also a first within Junior Achievement worldwide and thanks to Barclays Wealth the qualification will be made available to Junior Achievement volunteers at no cost,’ said Sue. Central to Sue’s mission to reach all 12,000 students in full-time education in the island is the recruiting of more volunteers to help deliver JA programmes across six secondary and 12 primary schools during the current academic year. ‘We need 300 volunteers to reach 4000 students in more than 150 classrooms,’ she said. Against this background JA IOM, with input from Barclays Wealth training manager Andy Finch, devised the CVQ to provide volunteers accreditation for their commitment to the Manx-registered charity. Mr Finch, who praised Sue for bringing the CVQ from inception to reality in just 12 months said: ‘As a JA volunteer I know how daunting it can be to stand in front of a class of 30 students and try to hold their interest. You do, however, derive a huge sense of satisfaction from knowing you’re helping make a difference to the lives of young people. ‘As the island’s largest private employer Barclays Wealth is passionate about young people’s personal and professional development. We are therefore pleased to provide financial and practical support to Junior Achievement in the Isle of Man and to have helped make possible the opportunities the CVQ presents. I have every confidence that the dedication of Sue and her team will ensure the success of the CVQ.’ Outlining the structure of the CVQ Sue said that ‘The CVQ will be available to anyone volunteering for JA IOM. ‘It’s flexible both in terms of time commitment and what topics volunteers can choose to study. In addition, it assists with personal career development.’ Volunteers will be provided with a study guide and are required to attend an induction course. Sue said: ‘On average the full CVQ certificate will take around nine months to complete. This depends on how much time you can commit, but the strength of the CVQ is that it’s a flexible course designed to fit around your timetable. She went on to say: ‘At Junior Achievement we have always recognised that if we are to ask people to give up some of their time and volunteer for us then we must offer something in return.’ For more details about how to become an accredited Junior Achievement Isle of Man volunteer or volunteer assessor, contact Kirsty Coffey, kirstycoffey@jaiom.im or Joy Spence, joy@jaiom.im. Telephone 666266. Junior Achievement Isle of Man, Suite 2, Peterson House, Middle River, Douglas. www.jaiom.im Ends