Lancashire-based coaching and mentoring specialists, British School of Coaching (BSC), has launched the first professional qualification for young people aged 14-24 following a successful pilot test in Lancashire this year.
The ILM Level 2 Award for Young Leaders, which takes three months to complete and includes two-day workshops, aims to develop key lifelong self-development skills, and behaviours for building confidence. Participation creates a valuable launch pad for young people entering work, further education or higher education to differentiate themselves from other applicants. Delegates participate in lively and highly interactive workshops and they are supported by professional coaches from BSC.
Speaking on the first day of the new programme, BSC Director of Studies, Judith Barton said: “We’re delighted to have teamed with the ILM to produce a fantastic and long-needed programme of study for young people preparing for exams, college and the workplace. Young people face increasing demands in schools and colleges. In a rapidly changing world, students have to be self-starters. They need the tools to proactively manage their time and make judgments about which skills they must improve upon. Lifelong learning is becoming the norm.”
Barton speaks in the wake of much media commentary nationally regarding young people being prepared for the rigour of university and work. She continues: “Gaining an internationally recognised qualification accredited by the ILM is a great addition to any CV.”
Participants in the inaugural programme said they ‘learned skills for the future’ and ‘learned new skills on self-leadership and how to set goals’.
BSC Programme Co-Ordinator, Amy Southern, who is in her early 20s, helped get the course ready for the launch. She commented: “We tested the programme in June and now we have six participants on the launch programme. The turnaround from test-phase to this launch date has been a result of great teamwork, with superbly documented feedback and a determination by everyone to deliver. What makes it such a great course is that the participants do all the work during the four-day programme of workshops and complete workbooks that are then assessed – no work has to be done outside of the course days. Successful completion will provide a minimum of four credits towards further study via the international qualifications framework. I’m very pleased to be involved and to be working so closely with learners gives me added incentive.”
Judith Barton concluded: “The qualification demonstrates a can-do approach. Our programme develops skills in self-leadership, resilience, decision-making and problem solving, as well as communication and planning. All skills essential are differentiators and builders of self-esteem.”
Article published in Independent Education Today on July 28, 2016
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