RGU:Union has offered the Duke of Edinburgh's Award scheme to students.
Robert Gordon University Students’ Union has become one of few Union's to gain the licence to run the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) in Scotland.
The award involves students undertaking a series of activities including volunteering, skill development, fitness training and planning and undertaking an expedition. These activities aim to develop skills to prepare young individuals for the work place, as well as enhancing confidence, resilience and team working.
RGU:Union is the primary provider of extra-curricular activities at RGU, and annually engaged thousands of students in projects and activities aimed at improving their experience and skills development while at university. This new initiative will allow RGU students to participate in the Silver and Gold levels of the DofE award.
Ross Leven, student Duke of Edinburgh Coordinator said “The Duke of Edinburgh Award is a life changing opportunity for anyone under 24 to enhance their employability and develop valuable life skills. I have experienced at first hand the benefits of the Awards after achieving up to Gold level. The experience is not easy as it involves physical activities, long term commitment and team building but it is also fun and assists personal development and employment and generates an ability to overcome challenges.”
Students will have the opportunity to continue from when they started previous awards, or sign up for the first time. Students who participate in the scheme find it a highly valuable experience, and a survey of recent employers found that a Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is the most highly valued experience when selecting employees.
Barry Fisher, Director for DofE Scotland, said: “I am delighted that RGU: Union has come on board as a DofE Licensed Organisation. We know that many young people are looking for a way to do their DofE beyond school and now the students at RGU: Union will be able to do just that.
Completing a DofE Award has a positive impact on a young person’s life and employability skills. The students at Robert Gordon University will now be able to demonstrate to employers the commitment and perseverance they developed by completing both a DofE Award and their studies.
The Union has already inspired nearly 30 of its students to take part and they will be supported by a dozen volunteers. This is an excellent start for an organisation which is new to the DofE. We look forward to hearing more about the successes of RGU: Union and their DofE participants in the coming years.”
Students can find out more and sign up by visiting www.rguunion.co.uk/DofE or e-mailing DofE@rguunion.co.uk