What is the Duke of Edinburgh's Award?

The key to the Award is personal commitment.

There is no time limit on activities apart from completion by the maximum age. Individuals work to achieve entirely personal targets as there are no peers to compete with.

It is an activity in one's own time which encourages:

• Responsibility
• Self-reliance
• Perseverance

Anyone can take part and everyone can gain from it. The four sections of the Award and their effects on the development of participants are summarised below:

1. SKILLS - self-discipline, organisation, progression, new experiences and fun.
2. COMMUNITY SERVICE -self-confidence, understanding own strengths, responsibility and awareness of other needs.
3. SPORTS AND RECREATION - challenge, achievement, personal fitness and confidence.
4. EXPEDITION - self-reliance, teamwork, sense of adventure and friendship.

It is a marathon not a sprint, each level of the Award requires persistence and determination over an extended period of time. Each level provides a foundation for the next.

It takes at least three years to get from Bronze to Gold:

• Bronze Award - Taking a minimum of 6 months and must be completed by the participants' 25th birthday
• Silver Award - Taking a minimum of 12 months and must be completed by the participants' 25th birthday
• Gold Award - Taking a minimum of 18 months and must be completed by the participants' 25th birthday

The Duke of Edinburgh's Award web site provides a comprehensive explanation of the general aims and objectives of the scheme.

The Award's Charter for Business continues the aim of broadening the experiences of young people starting out in employment.

The Commercial Project for young people living or working in the City of London is managed by Chris Jarvis who will be happy to provide more information to interested companies.

If you are under 23 - why not find out more about the challenges and opportunities of participating in the Award? See The Duke of Edinburgh's Award Web site for more information and contacts in your area.

If you are interested and work in the City of London, why not take the initiative and bring the Commercial Project to the attention of your employers?