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Find out about the awards and qualifications available for volunteers.
We’ve listed below some awards and qualifications currently available that recognise your volunteering contribution. The Skills Development Scotland website might also be useful.
There are several courses available nationally which enable you to gain a qualification while you are volunteering. They vary in content, learning style and duration.
Please note, Volunteer Scotland do not offer any of these awards or qualifications. Contact the organisation directly for more information.
If you’re aged 12-25 and volunteer then the Saltire Awards are a great way of celebrating, recognising and rewarding your commitment, contribution and achievements. There are four levels of award with the ‘challenge’ aimed at those getting started in volunteering.
If you’re aged 14-24 you can do a DofE programme at one of three progressive levels which, when successfully completed, leads to a Bronze, Silver or Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.
The Award in Volunteering Skills at SCQF levels 3, 4 and 5 provides formal recognition of volunteering activity. This award is available in schools and colleges. Amongst other activities, candidates learn about the context of volunteering and plan, review and reflect on their skills and volunteering experience.
Youth Scotland offer 3 different awards that act as a framework to record and recognise young people’s achievements. The Dynamic Youth Awards (DYA) and the Youth Achievement Awards (YAA) are available to those aged 10+ and 14+ respectively. Both focus on activities that assist, lead and educate peers.
John Muir Award is an environmental award scheme focused on wild places. It is ideally suited for those of 4th year in primary school and above. Adults are welcome to get involved too – on their own, in groups, or alongside younger participants. There’s also a family award.