Teenagers from Hampshire Scouts have been using their Scouts experiences to help boost their CV and showing off the skills for life they have earned already.
In an ever competitive job market where candidates need to shine, using the Skills for Life that Scouting offers has proved attractive to some Explorer Scouts in Hampshire.
Jack Bowdery is one of the first in the county to convert his experience as a Young Leader and boost it into a BTEC Level 2 qualification. Equivalent to a GCSE, it is fully funded and open to young people in sixth form college years 12 or 13 and have completed their Young Leader Belt Buckle top award and one of the DofE awards.
We heard from Jack, an Explorer Scout with Trident in Winchester, about his experience doing the BTEC:
"I heard about the partnership between Young Leaders and the Cadet Vocational College from Mike Baxter. This allows Young Leaders to get an externally recognised qualification for their Young Leaders Award.
"For me having a BTEC Level 2 Diploma in Teamwork and Personal Development in the Community validated my volunteering work, and I thought it would be useful for my Personal Statement and College applications.
"The BTEC is all online and you can complete the assignments in your own time, it took me only 6 weeks to complete the course as my Young Leader modules gave me credits for ‘recognised prior learning.’
"For Young Leaders or Explorers who have completed their Bronze DofE or their Platinum Award it is a no brainer!"
Jack Bowdery
Explorer Scouts interested in the BTEC can find out more on our website and apply today.
The programme has been a great example of Scout volunteers collaborating with our volunteers who work with Explorer Scouts, Top Awards and Young Leaders all collaborating to bring the scheme to life. They also worked alongside fellow volunteers in Surrey, who have recently been exploring similar ways to enhance their Young Leader journey and offer an extra qualification for Young Leaders who had already reached the top.
The qualification is also possible thanks to the co-operation of the Cadet Vocational College, CVC, who act as the awarding body.
Proof once more that scouts continues to prepare our young people with the skills they need for life.
Join Explorer Scouts or support as a volunteer at scouts.org.uk
