Operation Youth Advantage
What is Operation Youth Advantage?
Background
Operation Youth Advantage is an initiative run in partnership between Northern Constabulary, Grampian Police, Army Youth Teams and the Social Work and Education Departments and has been running for around 11 to 12 years.
OYA operates as a 5 day residential course, facilitated by the Army and based at an Army barracks. The courses are run during the school holidays and a total of approximately 120 youths attend over the course of the year. Referrals can come from all agencies.
Criteria
- 15 to 17 year olds, both male and female
- aimed at young people involved in minor offending or who are interested in Army life
- attendance is voluntary
Course content
On attendance the students are divided into sections and are thereafter taught and practice low level military skills to achieve confidence building, teamwork and leadership. The work of the course is structured and mostly practical with much physical activity.
Activities include drill, sporting activities, assault course, map reading, living in the field etc. Following the course each attendee is presented with a certificate assessing their personal qualities, rating in the mock physical test and team commander comments on personality, performance and potential and also a certificate of achievement.
The latest course was held from 6 -10 October 2008 at the Cameron Barracks, Inverness. It was fully subscribed with a total of 40 youths attending from the Highlands, Western Isles and Grampian areas.
