Isle of Wight West Labour MP, Richard Quigley, has celebrated the success of his office’s first-ever Summer Skills Bootcamp, which gave Isle of Wight West residents aged 18-25 the opportunity to develop valuable skills, build confidence and explore the wide range of opportunities available to them.
Building skills for the future
During the packed week, participants took part in workshops and discussions aimed at building confidence, communication and problem-solving abilities.
They worked together to develop ideas on how young people can play a greater role in shaping local decision-making, while also developing skills in public speaking, research, critical thinking, presenting, teamwork, and the balanced discussion and communication of ideas.
Exploring opportunities on the Island
The programme also highlighted the diverse opportunities already available to young people across the Island. Participants visited HTP Apprenticeship College in Newport, where they explored apprenticeship pathways, learned about skills development opportunities, and took part in a CV-building workshop designed to strengthen their employability.
They also met with the Isle of Wight Youth Trust to learn more about the support available to young people and heard from neighbourhood police officers about careers in public service and their role in keeping local communities safe.
The bootcamp concluded with a visit to the Isle of Wight Council, where participants met Council Leader Jonathan Bacon and gained a first-hand understanding of how local government serves the community. The programme concluded with attendees delivering speeches in the Council Chamber, giving them the opportunity to put into practice the confidence, presentation and public speaking skills they had developed throughout the week.
Quigley praises participants’ growth
Speaking after the bootcamp, Richard Quigley MP said,
“The bootcamp has been an amazing experience and I’m seriously blown away by the talent, determination and enthusiasm shown by everyone who attended.
“What has impressed me most is the growth in confidence we have seen over the course of the week.
“Many participants arrived understandably nervous, but by the end of the week they were standing in the Council Chamber speaking with confidence, sharing ideas and demonstrating skills that will serve them well in the future.
“This bootcamp was about opening doors, building transferable skills and helping young people recognise the opportunities that already exist here on the Island. The talent is here.
“Sometimes all that’s needed is a chance to build confidence and make those connections.”
Several participants also had the opportunity to connect directly with local organisations and employers, with some already exploring education, training and employment opportunities as a result of relationships built during the week.
Participants reflect on the week
Following the success of the first bootcamp, Richard hopes to expand the initiative and use it as a blueprint for future Skills Bootcamps, helping more young Islanders develop confidence, skills and connections.
When asked about whether participants felt the bootcamp had changed how they see the future one participant replied,
“Definitely, it’s made me feel a lot more positive, I can actually see a future for myself on the Island now which is really nice.”
Another participant at the 2026 bootcamp said,
“Honestly yes, this week has changed how I think about the future. I’ve become more selfaware about current and growing issues within society not just the Isle of Wight as a whole but also how I’d like to fix them.”
News shared by the office of Richard Quigley MP. Ed
