SKILLS

Goal

To encourage the discovery and development of personal interests and social and practical Skills.

Objective

The object is to stimulate participants to take up and persevere at satisfying and purposeful interests within a wide range of practical, social and cultural activities. The choice can either be a continuing and progressive interest in an activity such as stamp collecting, fishing or playing a musical instrument, a study of a topic of personal interest such as fashion, money matters, or a definite task to be completed such as making simple pieces of furniture or building a boat.

In all cases, participants are encouraged to seek out people knowledgeable in the area of their chosen Skill, and with the assistance of that person, establish reasonable objectives based on personal experience and knowledge of the chosen Skill.

In addition to developing skills, participation should lead to further contact with experienced people. This may be through membership in a club or group or through the wealth of individual expertise available in a community.

Requirements

1. Choose a Skill or personal interest with a view to following it for a period of:
   1. for Bronze- - a minimum of six months,
   2. for Silver ---- a minimum of twelve months; or a minimum of six months for those who have completed the Bronze Award,
   3. for Gold ----- a minimum of eighteen months; or a minimum of twelve months for those who have completed the Silver Award.

   It is recognized that there may be periods when participants are forced, through circumstances such as examinations, to defer active participation for a period of time.
   
   

2. The Skill may be an existing interest or something entirely new to the participant. The chosen interest or Skill may be changed once at each level if circumstances render the original choice impractical or inappropriate. In this case, the second activity must follow as soon as possible after the first activity.
   
   
3. A young person is required to display individual progress and sustained interest over a period of time, leading to a deeper knowledge of the subject and the attainment of a reasonable degree of skill.
   
   
4. Skills acquired at school or related to a young person's work are not excluded, provided that all work to count for an Award is taken outside curriculum timetable or employment time and is not required for study or examination purposes.
   
   
5. The number of hours to be spent on the chosen Skill is not specified but there must be regular effort during leisure time throughout the period.
   
   
6. The Skill may be followed independently or as a member of a group. Knowledge and experience may be acquired by attending a course or by individual enquiry, in which case it should be associated with further investigation and/or practical work.
   
   
7. Most sporting activities are not considered under Skills, but should be selected for Physical Recreation.

Instruction

Instruction must be provided only by persons suitably qualified or experienced in the chosen activity or topic. The essence of this section is for the participant to find people with expertise and enthusiasm to assist them in their efforts.

Assessment

Each individual is assessed throughout the required period on effort, perseverance, and progress as well as on understanding of the practical, cultural and social aspects of the chosen activity or topic.

The person who is guiding the work may well be in the best position to undertake assessment but, in some cases, it will be desirable to bring in an independent assessor.

Group activities are to be assessed in regard to each individual's contribution to the planning, execution and completion of the chosen activities.

A young person qualifies in this section if the assessor, after consultation with the instructor where applicable, is satisfied that:

1. there has been a substantial commitment of genuine leisure time,
2. the Skill has been consistently followed for the required time, and
3. genuine effort and individual progress has been made within your capability.

Any written work should be assessed on content rather than on style or spelling. Dates of starting and successful completion are to be entered in the Record Book. No entries may be made until the participant has satisfied the assessor.

Note

For a comprehensive, but not exhaustive, list of Skills please take a look at the United Kingdom web site found at www.theaward.org.

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