Tangent joins forces with Sail Training Ireland to Teach Top 5 Leadership Skills

• Unique new leadership training and development programme for people from all backgrounds and abilities
• 30 trainees to benefit from this ‘classroom to tall ship’ programme

21st June saw the launch of an exciting new leadership training programme at Tangent. The pilot programme, delivered in partnership with youth and adult development charity Sail Training Ireland, combined classroom-based learning at Tangent’s modern facilities in Trinity with hands-on experiential learning on a tall ship at sea. Over the course of eight days, thirty programme participants learned five essential leadership skills that will help them in all aspects of life. The 30 individuals who completed the programme have also gained access to further study via Trinity’s Access Programme. The initiative was especially designed for individuals who have experienced barriers to entering education in the past.

With participants selected from across Ireland, the programme developed the ‘top 5’ skills of leadership - leadership, critical thinking, teamwork, resilience, and decision-making skills. After undertaking a day-long training session at Tangent, participants began a week-long voyage on the tall ship, the Pelican of London. Onboard the ship they became part of a working crew and put their newly learned skills into practice in real-life situations.

With participants selected from across Ireland, the programme developed the ‘top 5’ skills of leadership - leadership, critical thinking, teamwork, resilience, and decision-making skills. After undertaking a day-long training session at Tangent, participants began a week-long voyage on the tall ship, the Pelican of London. Onboard the ship they became part of a working crew and put their newly learned skills into practice in real-life situations.

Commenting on the programme, Dr Daniel Rogers, Head of Education at Tangent, said:

“Tangent is very pleased to design and deliver “The Big 5 Skills” masterclass for Sail Training Ireland with support from the Trinity Access Programme. We look forward to welcoming the trainees to our custom-built innovation space, witnessing them setting sail on the Pelican of London and welcoming them back on campus to reflect on the valuable skills they have acquired.”

Daragh Sheridan, CEO of Sail Training Ireland, added:

“This is a game-changer for personal leadership and development. This unique programme merges expert tuition in the classroom and then puts it to the test on the high seas where teamwork is critical. A sea voyage can have a transformative impact on a person - having to get to know others quickly, living in close quarters and working together; making important decisions and seeing these through. Living, collaborating and compromising in this way over the course of 7 varied days at sea, really helps people to quickly discover inner strengths, skills and unknown capabilities. Joining forces now with Tangent brings a new and even more exciting dimension to this dynamic process, and it also opens up the connection to the Trinity Access Programme and the possibility of wider future potential academic opportunities for all those involved. We are really thrilled to partner with Tangent and Trinity in this new and exciting project. Following this pilot, we look forward to offering this unique development opportunity to all trainees who participate on the thirty other voyages we offer annually”