Academy aiming to transform lives

What are the characteristics of a good leader, and how are these traits instilled? Trekking across the Arctic may be an extreme way to explore a youngster’s potential, but that’s exactly the opportunity being offered to a local secondary school, and the wider business community.

Founded by accomplished Scottish explorer Craig Mathieson in 2013, The Polar Academy is on a mission to help identify and positively transform the lives of some of the most “invisible” youths in the country.

Through its intensive, nine-month training programme, culminating in a challenging 100km, 10-day self-supported expedition through the wilds of Eastern Greenland, the young participants quickly rekindle their selfconfidence and develop a life-changing “can-do” attitude.

More than 60,000 youths have already engaged with and been inspired by the charity, which is regarded as one of Europe’s toughest youth training programmes. There is no cost to the school or pupils involved.

As patron of The Polar Academy, Dundee IT support company Shackleton Technologies is hosting an event aimed at highlighting the opportunities for schools and businesses to get behind

the charity. The participants in The Polar Academy are all aged 14-17 and on their return from the Arctic are expected to talk to at least 3,000 pupils in their local area.

Through recounting accounts of their experiences with The Polar Academy, the pupils aim to inspire their peers to overcome their own challenges and to pursue their dreams and goals in life.

The free event will be held at Discovery Point, Dundee, on Tuesday September 24 from 5-7pm.

Urging schools and businesses to come along, Steve Ross, managing director of Shackleton Technologies, has both personal and professional reasons for backing the charity.

He said: “Our leadership technique is very much based on polar explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton, so our vision and values are very much in sync with what The Polar Academy is trying to do – building leadership skills and going the extra mile.

“However, as a Dundee businessman and a father, The Polar Academy also resonates with me.

“Life wasn’t always easy for me at school, as it rarely is for any young person these days, but if you can learn resilience at an early age, develop a positive attitude and thrive as part of a team, your future is likely to be much brighter – these are the building blocks, you can essentially learn anything if these attributes are in place.

“The skills The Polar Academy teenagers learn are truly endless, and the experience will touch every aspect of their lives going forward – as a Dundee business, we’d absolutely love a Dundee or Angus school to get involved.”

Mr Mathieson added: “We’re really looking forward to talking to local businesses and schools this month.

“It would be a fantastic outcome to identify the right Dundee or Angus school to get on board and benefit from the work of the charity, especially given that Dundee is the home of polar exploration in Scotland.

“From a school’s perspective, the pupils gain a life-changing experience and an amazing set of life skills.

“The training is challenging and relentless, but the positive transformation in the participants selected for the past six annual expeditions clearly show that our methods give the young participants greater resilience, self-confidence and belief in their own abilities.

“These are all attributes that not only benefit themselves as individuals, but every young person they come into contact with on their return.

“We’re also looking to talk to businesses which will also gain from getting involved.

“Anyone can be a boss, and it’s easy to ‘talk the talk’, but being a confident leader is a different thing altogether.

“We can show them the leaders of the future, and teach them a few things about humility, what confidence really is and how teamwork really works.”

For more information, visit thepolaracademy.org, email events@shacktech.co.uk or phone 01382 250900.

Steve Ross, managing director of Shackleton Technologies.