Trainee Leader Certificate

The Trainee Leader Certificate programme has been designed to enable young adults with leadership aspirations to acquire, develop and demonstrate basic competence in the key areas of junior leadership. The programme is open to all young adults (16-19) regardless of gender, creed, colour or disability, providing they have:

• been involved in a youth group for a period of at least six months;
• leadership aspirations and potential;
• been recommended by the leader-in-charge of the youth group who is prepared to supervise (or arrange supervision for) the candidate throughout the duration of the programme.

The programme has three Units of Competence which are further sub-divided into Elements of Competence as detailed below:

Unit 1: Leadership

Element 1.1: Identify the importance of leadership within a youth group
Element 1.2: Recognise specific leadership styles
Element 1.3: Identify the main tasks of a leader in a youth group

Unit 2: Communication

Element 2.1: Take part in discussions
Element 2.2: Produce written material
Element 2.3: Use images
Element 2.4: Read and respond to written materials

Unit 3: Organisation

Element 3.1: Identify the contribution of activities and events to the aims of a youth group and the needs of young people
Element 3.2: Plan and deliver an activity or event
Element 3.3: Identify a process of evaluation to assess the strengths and weaknesses of a planned activity or event

The programme consists of (a) a 30-hour training course which enables young adults from a variety of youth groups to come together to share experiences and gain essential underpinning knowledge, and (b) a concurrent period of supervised and assessed practice, in a trainee leadership role, within a youth group.

At registration, candidates are given an Information Booklet and Cumulative Assessment Record (CAR) in which they can summarise how each of the performance criteria have been covered. Candidates will also be required to keep a portfolio in which they can assemble all evidence of competence. Candidates reaching the required standard will be awarded the Trainee Leadership Certificate endorsed by OCR. For Unit 2 "Communication" participants will also receive the NVQ Key Skills Communication Unit at Level 2.

General enquiries about the programme can be addressed to: John McCormick, Youth Council for Northern Ireland, Forestview, Purdys Lane, Belfast, BT8 7AR. Tel: 028 9064 3882, Fax: 028 9064 3874, E-mail: jmccormick@youthcouncil-ni.org.uk.

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