YOUR AWARD LOGO HERE

For immediate release:[date]

Press Release: [AWARD NAME] launches ‘Award holders at work’ campaign

The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award (the Award) is world’s leading youth achievement award, equipping young people for life and work.

The Award is available in over 140 countries and territories worldwide.Award holders at work is the Award’s first global campaign coordinated by The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundationand delivered in [COUNTRY NAME] by [AWARD NAME].The campaignruns until the end of the year and highlights the valuable employability skills young people can develop through participation in the Award, wherever they are in the world and whatever career they choose to pursue.

John May, Secretary General of The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundation said:

“We are focusing on employability for our very first global campaign as we know youth unemployment is an issue in many countries where the Award operates. The Award provides young people with confidence, resilience and skills in areas such as communication, problem solving and leadership – exactly what employers look for when distinguishing candidates.We are delighted that [AWARD NAME] is delivering the campaign in [COUNTRY].”

Award holders at work aims to helpyoung peopleunderstand that the Award provides them with the skills employers are seeking and to know how to emphasise this within their CV/LinkedIn profile and during interviews. The campaign also encourages more employers to look out for the Award during their recruitment process.

[NAME], [TITLE]of [AWARD NAME] said:

[“Include a quote here from the National Director/Chair if you wish detailing why your Award is supporting the campaign.”]

The following Award holder case study comes froman individual within your Award region but you may wish to source some examples from your own country:

It has been ten years since Vicky Roy achieved his Gold Award, but the 27-year-old says the impact the experience had on his life remains as pertinent as ever.Once a runaway child living on the streets, Vicky was encouraged to take up the Award programme through the Salaam Balak Trust in India. He chose photography for his Skills section and has gone on to become a successful international photographer. Based in New Delhi, Vicky’s trade has taken him all over the world, where he has met and photographed people from all walks of life.

“I don’t come from a middle-class family. I come from a very poor family – we didn’t always get three meals a day. When I came to Delhi, the Award programme was a very big help. It took care of children like us. It gives you lots of confidence that you can do what you want to do. After that I was very positive.

My Award Leader and my Award Unit were very supportive. They asked what problems you were facing and were always ready to help. When I chose photography for my Skills section, they gave me free film rolls. After that they supported me to develop the film. It was very helpful and important. It gave me a lot of confidence. I finished my Gold Award and they still supported me in 2007 with my first exhibition. They saw potential in my photography. I felt very proud.

I can remember the names of all of the people in my Award group. I’m still in touch with some of them. They were from the same background as me; runaway kids. One is now working as a professional dancer, one as a choreographer, one as a puppeteer. I’m still in touch with my mentor as well.

If I had to describe the Award to other young people, I would say it gives you the opportunity to improve yourself. You can face problems in the society we live in. The Award can prepare you for these.”

For more information please visit:

Web address

Facebook page

Twitter

Contact:

Name:

Phone number:

Email:

[The person listed should be able to talk to the media about the campaign if necessary]

Ends

Notes to Editors: more background about the Award and Foundation

  • [AWARD NAME] has been delivering the Award in [COUNTRY] since [DATE]. To date [NUMBER] young people have taken part.[This line can be replaced with other information about the Award in your country if more appropriate]
  • The Award, with its instantly recognisable levels of Bronze, Silver and Gold, is voluntary, non-competitive and available to anyone aged 14–24. It is about individual challenge.
  • The Award is delivered around the world by schools, colleges, universities, employers, social clubs, uniformed and non-uniformed youth organisations, young offenders’ institutions, religious organisations, sports clubs, and a whole host of other civic organisations.
  • Young people design their own Award programme, set their own goals and record their own progress. They choose a Service, Physical Recreation, Skills activity, go on an Adventurous Journey and, to achieve a Gold Award, take part in a Residential Project. The only person they compete against is themselves, by challenging their own beliefs about what they can achieve.
  • In 2013 more than one million young people around the world took part in the Award, in over 140 countries and territories. In the past sixty years, millions of young people have participated and received Awards, with millions more benefiting from its impact in communities around the world.
  • The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award was founded in 1956 by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh.
  • The Duke of Edinburgh`s International Award Foundation is a registered charity in England and Wales (1072453). The Foundation drives and supports the Award’s global growth, so more young people can undertake the world’s leading youth achievement award. The Foundation’s headquarters are in London and it has regional offices in the Americas, Africa, Asia Pacific and EMAS (Europe, Mediterranean and Arab States). Further background information is available within the Foundation’s media pack