George Tsounias explains the programme now offered by My Personal Finance Skills to support participants looking to fulfil a skill as part of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Bronze Award
In the autumn edition of Personal Finance Professional, we revealed the launch of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award programme on personal finance skills. This is in addition to the popular My Personal Finance Skills initiative that delivers free financial education workshops in schools through a dedicated network of Education Champions.
Having been approved by the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, the programme is now officially an approved activity provider. Currently, the programme offers the Bronze Award only.
Duke of Edinburgh (bronze)
The free 13-week programme is open to participants looking to fulfil a skill as part of their Bronze Award. The self-study programme will enable participants to understand and be more competent in various areas of personal finance.
Each week, students engage with a different set of learning outcomes through a mix of reading, research, tasks and challenges to ensures outcomes are met. Themes include:
- What is a budget?
- Why should I save?
- Living within your means.
- Staying safe from scams and much more.
How you can help
At this stage, members can help by spreading the word of this free programme to anyone who might be directly or indirectly involved with young people participating in the scheme, by directing them to the website (www.dofe.org/opportunity-finder/approved-activity-provider) or by going directly to the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award website and typing in ‘personal finance’.
How it works
Participants will submit their work for assessment by a member of the Personal Finance Skills team every three weeks, so that progress can be checked and feedback provided. At the end of the 12 weeks, participants will need to complete an evaluation, reflection and feedback to complete the programme, essentially bringing it up to 13 weeks and in line with the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award requirements.
On completion, a report will be submitted to confirm participation in the programme.
Requirements for participation
To take part, students will need to already be enrolled onto the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme and be looking for a skill to complete as part of their Bronze Award.
From there, they will be able to sign up via the My Personal Finance Skills website.
In addition, they will need to make sure that a parent or legal guardian has completed and returned the consent form prior to starting.
The programme is only open to those wishing to complete the skills section of the Bronze Award. Participants will need to have access to a digital device with the ability to complete and save a PDF.
To find out more, email skills@thepfs.org or scan the QR code opposite.
George Tsounias is education programme manager of the PFS
