Youth Ambassador Leadership Academy
Programme and Pathways
One year. Three stages. Opportunities that grow.
YALA is a 12-month programme with three leadership stages: Bronze, Silver and Gold. Each lasts four months, with a certificate at the end of each stage.
At the end of the programme, participants graduate with a completion certificate and a completion badge. Graduates are then invited to the Alumni programme to continue their involvement.
Learning through experience and reflection
Each month brings together:
- An in-person practical session: approximately two hours. Try new skills, work with others and contribute to activities.
- An online group reflection session: approximately 90 minutes. Discuss what went well, what was challenging, what you learned and what to try next.
Both sessions are part of the programme. Volunteering and project work also require time outside these sessions. The amount depends on each task or activity and will be explained when activities are planned.
The programme includes leadership workshops, mentoring, resilience development, career learning, volunteering and community projects. Participants will also be invited to Business Resilience sessions to meet and network with business leaders, learn from their experiences and strengthen their leadership skills.
Bronze - Discover your potential
Months 1-4: Start with yourself.
Bronze introduces the foundations of leadership. Explore your strengths, find your voice and understand how your actions affect others.
The focus is on:
- Building confidence and self-awareness.
- Practising communication and teamwork.
- Setting personal goals.
- Taking first steps in volunteering and community activities.
- Reflecting on progress and identifying the support you need.
This might mean speaking up in a group, trying something unfamiliar or taking responsibility for a small task.
Bronze is about taking the first step and recognising that you have something valuable to contribute.
Recognition: Bronze certificate at the end of the four-month stage.
Silver - Put your skills into action
Months 5-8: Grow through responsibility.
Silver builds on your foundations. Develop your ability to work with others, respond to challenges and contribute to shared goals.
The focus is on:
- Strengthening teamwork and problem-solving.
- Taking greater responsibility within activities and projects.
- Developing resilience when things do not go to plan.
- Exploring careers and learning from business leaders.
- Using reflection to learn from challenges and feedback.
This might mean helping organise an activity, contributing an idea to a community project or supporting a teammate.
Silver is about becoming someone others can rely on.
Recognition: Silver certificate at the end of the four-month stage.
Gold - Lead with purpose
Months 9-12: Turn your learning into positive change.
Gold brings your leadership skills together through purposeful action. Develop your ability to plan, make decisions and help others work towards a shared outcome.
The focus is on:
- Taking a leading role in a suitable project or activity.
- Putting communication, planning and teamwork into practice.
- Helping others contribute to a shared goal.
- Reviewing outcomes and learning from feedback.
- Sharing achievements and identifying future goals.
This might mean helping lead a community initiative, presenting a project’s results or encouraging others to get involved.
Gold is about using your confidence and skills to make a difference.
Recognition: Gold certificate at the end of the four-month stage.
Graduation and the next chapter
The July before graduation focuses on completing projects, reviewing achievements and preparing presentations.
We aim to hold graduation on 12 August each year, alongside the launch of the incoming cohort, marking International Youth Day. The celebration brings participants together with families, founders, funders, sponsors, business partners and community supporters. It is in addition to the monthly sessions; event arrangements will be shared separately.
Graduates receive a completion certificate and completion badge and are invited to join the Alumni programme.
Alumni Ambassador - Inspire the next generation
Your experience can help someone else begin. Alumni Ambassadors can stay connected, share their leadership stories, welcome new participants and support suitable events.
Legacy Leader - Help shape what comes next
The Legacy Leader pathway offers a direction for sustained contribution: supporting future leaders, developing community initiatives, strengthening partnerships and helping improve the Academy over time.
Details of Alumni activities and the Legacy Leader pathway will be shared separately. These follow the 12-month Academy programme.