ScottishPower’s support of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award has helped to significantly increase the number of young people in Glasgow completing the challenging award.

The Scottish average for completion is 32% with Glasgow in the past falling below this level.

However, support from ScottishPower has seen the completion rate in the city soar to 53%, to become one of the leading areas in Scotland for completions.

Since the beginning of the partnership more than 500 young people who previously would not have had access to the DofE have signed up to do their Bronze in Glasgow thanks to the support of funding through ScottishPower.

ScottishPower’s support of The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is part of the company’s overall investment of £6.5 million to support youth development, during the 2011-13 period.

The energy company is investing in a number of grassroots skills development programmes to develop young people’s life skills, enhancing their future employability and career prospects.

Ann Loughrey, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility at ScottishPower, said: “ScottishPower is committed to helping the next generation develop the necessary skills to succeed and it is fantastic that we are already seeing results from this partnership with more young people successfully completing their Awards.

“The achievements of those participants that have already completed their Duke of Edinburgh’s Award were celebrated at an awards ceremony held at Glasgow’s City Chambers last October.  It was a very special night for both the young people and their parents and we anticipate even more young people will be celebrating this year after completing their DofE Awards.”

Barry Fisher, The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Director for Scotland  said: “I’m delighted with the impact our partnership is having in Glasgow.  The progress around completions is especially important as it means young people are getting the real breadth of skills and experiences that the DofE can offer.  These experiences will not only prepare young people for the challenging employment market but enable them to succeed.”

John Kane, Head of Early Years, Business Support and Vocational Education, Glasgow City Council, said: “"These young people are an inspiration to us all and they should be very proud of the new skills and friendships they have developed over the last year.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank ScottishPower for their support and commitment to this project.
 
"My hope is that this successful partnership will continue and we will see more and more young people in our schools and vocational courses embracing The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award over the next few years."

For further information on The Duke of Edinburgh Award, please visit http://www.dofe.org/

Issued by The BIG Partnership on behalf of ScottishPower.

For more information please contact:

Kay McCarthy on 0141 333 9585 / 07736 774 338 or email kay.mccarthy@bigpartnership.co.uk
Or
Eleanor Marshall on 0141 333 9585 / 07974 214 438 or email eleanor.marshall@bigpartnership.co.uk