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Application boosters:

STANDING OUT FROM THE CROWD Whether you’re applying for further study or the job of your dreams, there’s loads you can do in your spare time to give your application the edge. We take a look at some of the different opportunities out there to boost your prospects

YOUNG ENTERPRISE SCOTLAND

– bronze, silver and gold – you’ll set yourself objectives in four areas (or five if you’re gold): volunteering, physical, skills, expedition and, at gold level, residential, where you go away from home for five days to work on a shared activity with other DofE-ers. You get to choose what you do too – so you could opt for dance for the physical component, go karting for skills, canoeing for your experience and volunteer with a local animal shelter. It’s totally flexible, and completely up to you what you do, so you can pick activities you enjoy that you want to improve in. Pretty great, right? Employers and admissions boards love DofE because it shows you’ve got commitment, dedication and you’re keen to get ahead.

If you spent the last series of The Apprentice shaking your head, there are ways in which you can test your business acumen with other budding young entrepreneurs. Your school, college or uni might already have a Young Enterprise Scotland project in place – so find out how to get involved! YES is all about helping young people see the magic of the world of business. YES run a range of different programmes, but the Company Programme for S5s and S6es is all about getting young people to set up their own business, take on individual roles and work to make some cash. The hands-on experience lets you see how businesses really work, and you’ll find out all sorts of insider secrets you’d never even thought of! Education establishments nationwide work with YES to bring you big opportunities, so get asking teachers and lecturers about what you can do.

MORE INFO: www.dofe.info

MORE INFO: www.yes.org.uk

THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH'S AWARD The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award – or DofE if you’re cool – is a youth award programme, founded by the Queen’s husband Prince Philip back in 1956. On the award programme, you work through a series of self-improvement exercises over a period of time, with guidance from a leader, such as a teacher or youth worker. The programme, for 14 to 24 year olds, is all about building up your skills, taking part in new and different activities and pushing yourself to succeed. There’s 11,000 approved DofE providers in the UK, usually schools, colleges and youth centres, so there’s bound to be someone near you who can get you started on a brilliant journey which will build your confidence, skills, experiences and friendship group. With three levels to work towards

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