Duke of Edinburgh Award with EmployabilityUK
Founded in 1956 by the late Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, The Duke of Edinburgh’s (DofE) Award is an outstanding development programme for young people, age 14 – 24, which helps to develop essential life skills such as resilience, responsibility, and adaptability through a structured yet flexible framework.
Participants can progress through three levels – Bronze, Silver, and Gold, each with increasing commitments in Volunteering, Physical, Skills, Expedition, and, at the Gold level, a Residential.
This structure helps develop leadership qualities, emotional intelligence, and problem-solving skills, all critical for personal and professional success. Furthermore, the DofE’s international recognition and prestige make it an excellent addition to college or job applications, as it demonstrates qualities such as dedication, initiative, and a commitment to positive community impact.
Each level encourages participants to set personal goals, make decisions, and track their progress independently, choosing activities that match their interests while maintaining accountability for long-term goals.
The award is unique in that it requires participants to take responsibility for their own journey, planning time effectively, committing to projects, and overcoming obstacles, especially during expeditions, where they work in teams.
With Mentors rather than managers, the DofE Award fosters self-motivation, problem-solving, and leadership skills. It’s an internationally recognised achievement, valued by colleges, universities and employers for the qualities it develops, such as dedication, initiative, and community commitment.
By pushing participants to set and achieve goals in a supportive but self-led structure, the award builds a sense of accomplishment, confidence, and real-world skills they can carry into adulthood.
Award Levels and Requirements
Bronze (14+): Duration: At least 6 months.
Requirements:
· Volunteering: 3 months.
· Physical and Skills: Participants choose one of these to do for 3 months and the other for 6 months.
· Expedition: Two-day, one-night adventure for Participants that can undertake this experience. A specially-designed three day experience (with no overnight stay is available for Participants that need an alternative.). Each day would consist of 6 hours planned activity.
Silver (15+): Duration: At least 6 months if you’ve already achieved your Bronze, 12 months if not.
Requirements:
· Volunteering: 6 months.
· Physical and Skills: Participants choose one to do for 6 months and the other for 3 months.
· Expedition: Three-day, two-night journey for Participants that can undertake this experience. A specially-designed three day experience (with no overnight stay is available for Participants that need an alternative.) Each day would consist of 7 hours planned activity.
Gold (16+): Duration: At least 12 months if you’ve already achieved your Silver, 18 months if not
Requirements:
· Volunteering: 12 months.
· Physical and Skills: Participants choose one of these activities to do for 12 months and the other for 6 months.
· Expedition: Four-day, three-night journey for Participants that can undertake this experience. A specially-designed four day experience (with no overnight stay is available for Participants that need an alternative.) Each day will consist of 8 hours planned activity.
· *Residential Project: A five-day, four-night experience in a shared, unfamiliar setting with new people for Participants that are able to take part in this opportunity.
The DofE emphasizes personal and social development, encouraging participants to stretch their comfort zones, improve resilience, and contribute positively to their communities.
* Participants that are unable to complete this element of the programme will still qualify for the full award