DIGIT

Two young people who have participated in the DIGIT course came along with their teachers and made a presentation to the full Education Committee – Councillors, officials, the formality of the Chamber – you don’t get much more daunting than that!

Their presentation focussed on the outcome of a course specially designed to help vulnerable young people acquire the skills and confidence to cope with life after school

DIGIT (Dornoch Invergordon Golspie In Transition) is a course designed for vulnerable young people about to leave school who, for a range of reasons, will find it difficult to find employment or to fit into training.

The 3 secondary schools worked together with a group size of a about a dozen young people which allowed a richer social experience than the tiny numbers in any individual school. 

The young people are all different characters with differing needs.

With three schools the staffing and curriculum development requirements are also shared. 

The system used is for one school to be responsible for a unit of work over several weeks in their own local setting and receive young people from the other schools as guests.  

An important factor in the project’s success is the imagination and flexibility of the staff.   

This course was piloted in this area with enormous success – it is a first for Highland and we would hope that the model will be replicated across the area.

We have limited training and employment opportunities in our area and DIGIT has responded to this challenge with enormous imagination and enthusiasm.

We saw from the presentation how successful it has been and how much progress the young people have made over the year.

The difference in their outlook and ability in terms of confidence to cope with day to day challenges is absolutely amazing and has equipped them with the skills and confidence needed to both move on in life and to enjoy it!

They are all characters with differing support needs and it was inspiring to hear how they have helped one another grow to the extent that they have gained the confidence to rise to challenges which previously they felt were way beyond their reach.

What is important is that the various curricular activities were covered but delivered in a way that provides plenty scope for the development of life skills and the building of confidence so necessary to participate more easily in life after leaving school.

We sincerely hope that, since DIGIT has met the needs of this group so well and uses the resources already available to schools, including local partners and the local environment, that the model will be replicated across highland allowing other vulnerable youngsters to benefit and blossom.