Whilst businesses have recognised the value of a Duke of Edinburgh’s Award in young job applicants for decades, and we continue to promote the employability skills that are developed, many businesses are now recognising the need to give young people who have not done their DofE the chance to do it after they have left school and begun working. For this reason, we have developed rewarding partnerships with leading businesses allowing their employees, trainees and apprentices to benefit from a life-changing DofE programme alongside the company’s training programme.
In return, employers who invest in their employees through the DofE, find the ideal tool to spot talent, improve staff retention and develop skills they want to see in their staff such as empathy, teamwork, determination, long term commitment and independence.
In addition, by taking part in a DofE programme, employees donate many hours of volunteering to their local community, enhancing Corporate Social Responsibility agendas.
A recent survey of young people doing their DofE through business showed that: - 82% had improved their leadership skills - 84% had developed their communication skills - 85% felt they were better motivated and had a more positive attitude to their job
- 89% would recommend the DofE to colleagues.
Our ambition: to use eDofE and DofE Business to increase accessibility to over 18s.
Partners offering Gold DofE programmes for their employees Case study
British Gas have integrated a Gold DofE programme within the British Gas apprenticeship, with over 1,500 participants to date. Young apprentices spend 18 months working towards their Gold Award while completing their NVQ3.
“All our Trainees achieve a Gold DofE Award as part of their Apprenticeship as we see the two fitting together perfectly to give our future engineers the character, social awareness and technical skills they need to be excellent engineers, delivering consistently for our customers.” Angela Williams, HR Director at British Gas
The British Gas DofE Challenge was opened to all British Gas employees. Around 170 took part in a variety of challenges over two days in the Peak District and raised £30,000 for our Charity.
“Participating in my DofE has taught me that a group of individuals with different goals and ideas can be brought together through learning and training to produce a focussed, coherent team
that can rely on each other.” Samantha Shaw, British Gas Apprentice
18 The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award – Annual Review of 2010
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