The SkillForce Prince's Award

On Monday the 11th of April The Duke of Cambridge officially launched The SkillForce Prince’s Award, in recognition of the contribution that young people make to their communities.

The Duke of Cambridge has developed the Award with SkillForce, of which he is Patron. 

CEO Peter Cross explains: Giving 24 hours of their time young people will be challenged to work together for the benefit of a charity or community close to their hearts.  They might raise funds for a local children’s hospice, support local music and arts projects or renovate a community building.

“No stranger to making a difference, Prince William wants to give disadvantaged young people a platform and to help them to champion their own causes.

“Through The SkillForce Prince’s Award we want to see the community leaders of the future”.

Young people attaining the award will achieve a certificate in community volunteering as well as an opportunity to receive a bursary for investment in one of three areas:

• Further education
• Start up of a business supported by volunteer advice and guidance in business start-up and management
• Experience with one of the charities of which The Duke of Cambridge is patron, based in Africa or the UK

Updates on The SkillForce Prince’s Award will follow, culminating with the Schools launch in September 2011 in line with the new school term, with students studying the SkillForce curriculum eligible to deliver a challenge in June 2012.

The SkillForce Prince’s Award will be presented for the first time in Summer 2012 – and will reward young people who show significant character or make a major contribution to the community in which they live.

Who is eligible for The SkillForce Prince’s Award?
Initially young people that have successfully studied the SkillForce Curriculum, progressing to all young people that can demonstrate an understanding of the community in which they live and are willing to give up 24 hours of their time for a charitable cause.

What is the ‘challenge’?
The challenge is an activity that will reinforce the knowledge and skills gained in the three learning areas of the SkillForce Curriculum: Community, Character and Contribution. Working over a week to plan, execute and evaluate their challenge, young people will raise funds/resources and support for their local community.

Example challenges would include supporting a local children’s hospice, creating new ideas to encourage recycling in the community, working for a music or arts project, restoring community gardens or even renovating a community building.

The work will be heavy duty and the challenger will need to develop their plan; setting clear goals, engaging and fundraising, communicating and executing plans, and ensuring team work and problem solving is handled in a constructive way.  Finally they’ll need to review and present the outcome, taking full responsibility for the achievement.

All young people completing the challenge will be recognised- with exemplar community projects and individuals showing exceptional character- recommended to The Duke of Cambridge for special recognition through The SkillForce Prince's Award.

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