As the coronavirus pandemic continues to disrupt the lives of young people, The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) in Wales is launching an Employability Week starting on 15th February 2021 to share practical support and advice with ‘the COVID generation’.
With their academic, social and emotional development limited by social-distancing measures and school closures, and work prospects at risk by inevitable recession, the charity hopes the initiative will help young people from across Wales to discover new skills and use tips to help them on their employment journey.
The DofE in Wales enrols around 12,000 young people every year with the programme helping participants to develop skills for life and work. A DofE Award is highly regarded by employers, who value the attributes Award holders offer the workplace. Eighty-five percent of DofE Award holders and alumni say doing the DofE has helped them to work in a team and 76% agree it has improved how they communicate.
The five-day campaign on the DofE Wales social media channels will feature bespoke video content, support materials, and insights from business leaders, employers and DofE Award holders from around Wales. Among the supporters joining the DofE to give young people on the cusp of entering the world of work the benefit of their experience and knowledge are: GE Aviation, Hugh James, Legal & General, ALS Managed Services and RMS.
Topics covered will include:
- Getting noticed for the job you want;
- How to stand out in a competitive job market;
- Advice on getting started on the career ladder;
- Teamwork and resilience in the workplace.
Among the DofE Award holders taking part is Sravya Bathula, a Gold Award holder and a Senior Internal Auditor.
“Doing my DofE really helped me to gain confidence and to develop my communication and leadership skills. It is also a great talking point in job interviews when you can demonstrate your consistency, commitment and dedication,” says Sravya.
Ian Gwilym, Senior Relationships Manager for The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award in Wales, comments:
“There’s never been a more important time for the DofE to help young people to gain vital skills to support them in future employment and to be successful in the workplace. We hope young people will find the content to be both informative and inspiring, as well as providing practical advice during these challenging times, and teachers and parents will find it useful for sharing with their students or children.”
