Understand your personal values

Increase your self esteem

Impact on your community

Create ideas and innovate

Get Healthier = Get Happier

SO WHAT IS DofE GOLD AWARD FOR BUSINESS?The Duke of Edinburgh Business Gold Award is a renowned award scheme for young people that is designed to help young people unlock their potential and build a brighter future. It is an 18 month programme that is designed to support young people in business to build skills and confidence that provide them with the best opportunity to succeed in their chosen career.

A DofE programme is a real adventure from beginning to end. It doesn’t matter who you are or where you’re from, you just need to be under the age of 24 and realise there’s more to life than sitting on a sofa watching life pass you by.

The scheme consists of;

Get out of your comfort zone and give VOLUNTEERING a try. The feeling you’re making a difference and helping others is very rewarding. The first 6 months will be a group volunteering activity to get you into the swing of things.

Explore new interests through your PHYSICAL section by pursuing and improving on your ability in a sport or fitness activity. Your 4 hours per month can consist of anything from Zumba to mountain climbing, its up to you.

Develop new SKILLS that can be transferred to your job role and boost your career prospects. You will attend 4 x 2 day development sessions that are focussed on our Travis Perkins PLC Leadership model, which breaks down what the Organisation are looking for in their leaders of the future.

Meet new people through your EXPEDITION as you plan, train for and complete a challenging adventure in which you’ll create lifelong memories and strong friendships.

Enjoy a different experience as you take part in a RESIDENTIAL team- building experience away from work. You will be working on understanding your own personal values, reflecting on what it is like to be a young woman working in a male dominated industry (looking at tools and building skills to deal with unconscious bias) as well as taking part in activities that are designed to help you to work as a team.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR ME?

Travis Perkins Group PLC launched its Women’s Community in 2014 with a focus on making it easier for women to succeed in our business.

It was identified that culturally it can be difficult for young women in particular to stand out from the crowd and have the confidence to make themselves heard. However we also know that branches with female Managers are more successful than those with male Management teams, we would like to provide a platform for young

women to succeed in our business. That future success story could be you!

Oh as well as...

...achieving an Award that will give you skills, confidence and a view on life that all employers are looking for. ...you're getting recognised for doing things you want to do (and may even be doing already)....you’ll make a difference to other people’s lives and your community, be fitter and healthier, make new friends and have memories to last you a lifetime....have a birds eye view and deeper understanding of our BusinessAnd above all, it's a great laugh - the question should really be; why wouldn't you bother!

93% developed

better team working skills

90% would recommend

DofE to a friend

89% improved

their physical fitness

88% enhanced their communication

skills

80% developed stronger leadership

skills and felt motivated to further

their careers

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT DofE GOLD AWARD

Q: My job’s very busy; I don’t think I’ll be given the time off.

A: Travis Perkins is fully behind your DofE programme and you will be given time off to take part; however, you may be asked to take some holiday, or do elements in your own time, in order to complete the longer parts, such as the Expedition section. The beauty of doing your Gold Award is that you will develop new skills in planning, prioritising and time management, enabling you to balance work time, social time and family time. Your family and friends will also want you to do well and succeed, so will also support you all the way to completion.

Q: I’m doing perfectly well in my job and these skills aren’t relevant to me or my role.

A: The skills taught as part of your DofE programme are recognised and valued by employers industry wide, including Travis Perkins PLC who are looking for those individuals who wish to progress further in their career. Each section you complete is an opportunity to build on skills which you can translate to your role, such as communication, leadership and team working. The senior leaders in your business believe these skills are the ones you need to truly progress in your career.

Q: Isn’t it something for school kids?

A: This is a common misconception. Anyone aged 14 – 24 can do a DofE programme through a range of centres, including youth clubs, universities and in a few special businesses like yours who want to invest in their young talent. The Gold Award is available to employees aged 16-24 of companies that run ‘DofE Business’ providing an opportunity as a platform to build a great career. The DofE programme is your personal journey so, irrespective of background or physical ability, everyone can achieve their Gold DofE Award. Your employer has invested in you to give you the chance to do this through your company, so you can access this unique opportunity and personally grow.

Q: How much does it cost?

A: The only equipment you’ll need to buy is your walking boots and walking clothes and, in terms of the other activities for each section, you can spend as little or as much as you like. All of your travel and accommodation costs for the activities will be paid by the Company.

Q: What do I actually have to do and how long will it take me?

A: Achieving your Gold DofE Award will take you at least 18 months and your programme will consist of five sections: Volunteering, Physical, Skills, Expedition and Residential, each with varying amounts of time dedicated to it. For the Volunteering, Physical and Skills sections, this averages at one hour a week of planned activity. The Skills, Expedition and Residential sections will be completed mainly in work time and relate to your business, with the Volunteering and Physical sections being carried out in your own time. You can choose what you do for these last two sections so take the opportunity to do something that interests you or something you’ve always wanted to try and never had the opportunity to do. It may be an activity you already do or you may want to try something completely new. The Gold DofE programme is a personal challenge but your Manager will support you along the way and you will have a DofE Leader to help guide you through your sections.

Q: Why is Travis Perkins PLC offering the DofE award?

A: Travis Perkins PLC are big believers in investing in your personal development and know that through taking part in this programme you will develop attributes that will support you as you progress through your career. Our research shows that 80% of Gold Award holders who achieved their Award through a business reported that they have grown in confidence, developed leadership and communication skills, and increased motivation and self-management through participation. These are all skills you will be able to demonstrate through your DofE experience and make you more valuable to your employer. By the end of the 18 month programme, not only will you have become more confident, resilient, and an independent thinker but you will have created lasting memories that you will carry with you through your life.

Q: Why should I volunteer, there’s nothing in it for me?!

A: Not true! It’s enormously rewarding and DofE participants talk about the huge sense of satisfaction they get from helping individuals and their communities. The great thing about this section is that you choose where you want to volunteer, which can be for an organisation that is close to your heart, and it offers you the chance to build new friendships along the way. It can also teach you valuable skills that you can apply to your work, such as project management, time management, customer service and presentation skills. But most importantly, it will make you feel great.

Q: I don’t know any charities.

A: Don’t worry we understand that this can feel a bit daunting so the first 6 months of the scheme you will work with other DofE Gold Award colleagues to plan a fund raising opportunity for one of the Organisations supported charities, during this time we will help you to find a charity that would love your help in your local community.For further information and to understand the opportunities available to volunteer, take a look at the DofE website (www.DofE.org/finder) or choose to continue to support one of the Companies nominated charities.

Q: I don’t like sport.

A: You’ve not found the right fitness activity yet! Yoga, Octopush, Scuba Diving, Dancing, Golf... the list is endless. Go to www.DofE.org/Physical for even more ideas. Be careful as some activities may come under the Skills section, such as fishing or football coaching. Take a look at the DofE website if you’re unsure of which section your activity falls into.

Q: I already participate in a physical activity; does this mean I have to do extra?

A: Not at all; if you already take part in physical activities and would struggle to fit extra activities into your personal time, then by all means count this for your Physical section. If you aren’t already doing a physical activity or want to broaden your interests, then why not take the opportunity to try something new?

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT VOLUNTEERING

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT PHYSICAL

Q: I’ve never been camping before, I don’t have any kit.

A: Most of the kit will be supplied to you by your employer, the only equipment you’ll need to buy is a pair of walking boots and your walking clothes. Advice about these will be covered during your training and the DofE has lots of information from our recommended suppliers on their website. Being a Gold Award participant, you will have the added bonus of receiving 15% off products from Cotswold Outdoor so why not make this your first port of call for expedition equipment?

Q: I think I might struggle with the Expedition section.

A: Don’t worry, many feel unsure about the Expedition section when they start out but often find that it is the most fun part of their whole DofE experience. You and your team will have training walks and a practice expedition to prepare you for your qualifying expedition and you’ll be getting fitter due to your physical activity anyway! The chance to visit breath-taking scenery away from home is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and you’ll have your team on hand to support you every step of the way.

Q: What does this section involve?

You will attend 4 x workshops with your other DofE Colleagues that are based around the 4 areas of the Travis Perkins Group Leadership Model. They are Who I am, How I lead, How I think and How I deliver. The workshops may include pre or post work to help embed the learning.

Q: What does this involve?

A: It is five days away completing a selection of fun activities and skills sessions with your fellow colleagues who will also be working towards their Gold Award.We will be spending some time looking at the Cornerstones, which are the Groups values, and understanding how they are demonstrated across the Organisation.Don’t worry - it will be fun!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT SKILLS

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT EXPEDITION

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT RESIDENTIAL

FIND OUT WHAT OTHER GOLD AWARD HOLDERS HAD TO SAY ABOUT THEIR EXPERIENCE:

“My DofE gave me confidence within my ability, confidence within myself as a person and confidence in my work life. Some people think the DofE is just walking up mountains and doing something physical but you learn so much more like business skills, communication skills, and its going to help me progress.”

MelGold Award HolderAo.com Employee

“The most fun part of my expedition was working with my team, I had an amazing group with all different kinds of personalities so it was great to work together and I just know that we’ll be friends forever now”

SarahGold Award HolderHeathrow Airport employee

So what are you waiting for?Use your golden ticket and start your adventure today!

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is a Registered Charity No: 1072490, and in Scotland No: SC038254, and a Royal Charter Corporation No: RC000806. Registered Office: Gulliver House, Madeira Walk, WINDSOR, Berkshire SL4 1EU www.DofE.org 27/02/15