YMCA South Australia recognised as a Duke of Ed Employer

Communication, teamwork, resilience and leadership are among the qualities employers ask for, but a job application rarely gives a young candidate a way to prove they've built them before day one. YMCA South Australia's recruitment now looks for one thing that does: the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award.

The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award recognises YMCA SA as an employer that values the development of young people and what they bring to our organisation.

As a Duke of Ed Employer, we acknowledge that the skills gained through the Award are those sought by employers. These include important skills such as communication, teamwork, responsibility, community mindedness, resilience and leadership. As part of this partnership, we recognise whether candidates have completed the Award during our recruitment process.

Completing the Award signals three things in a young person:

• Well-rounded development: Award participants take on four challenges: a physical activity, a new skill, voluntary service to others, and a team-based journey.
• Initiative and self-direction: Young people set their own goals and drive their own progress, with support from their Duke of Ed Leader and peers.
• Genuine commitment: The Award is earned over a minimum of 6 to 18 months, depending on whether a young person achieves bronze, silver or gold, showing real persistence and follow-through.

The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award

The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award (the Duke of Ed) is a global youth development framework that accredits the non-formal learning and achievements of young people. Each year, the framework inspires more than 55,000 young Australians to undertake and gain accreditation in a voluntary service, a skill, a physical recreation activity, and a team-based adventurous journey.

The Award's Australian office is a national organisation focused on supporting young people to thrive. It works with a network of partners and volunteers, including schools, organisations, governments and businesses, to help Australian youth meet new challenges, gain important life skills, and realise their potential.

There is also an alliance at the global level between the World YMCA and the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award, with both organisations part of the "Big 6" global youth organisations, alongside the YWCA, Scouts, Guides and Red Cross. Partnering locally in South Australia builds naturally on that shared purpose. You can find more information about the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award in Australia and its Duke of Ed Employer initiative.