Award Canada

Award Canada Award Canada is a global experiential education and learning framework

What starts as a weekly commitment can shape a lifelong passion. Through the Skill Development section of her Silver Lev...
06/05/2026

What starts as a weekly commitment can shape a lifelong passion.

Through the Skill Development section of her Silver Level, Evangelina dedicated 26 weeks to developing her photography skills. Along the way, she discovered a passion for creative photography, launched an Instagram account to share her work, and continues to share her photos today.

Her experience reflects a broader trend across the Award community: 66% of Award holders are still practicing an Award-developed skill ten years after completing their Award.

Read more in our 2025 Annual Report: https://www.dukeofed.org/about-us/key-publications/

Skill Development gives Award participants the opportunity to explore new interests, challenge themselves, and build ski...
06/03/2026

Skill Development gives Award participants the opportunity to explore new interests, challenge themselves, and build skills that can shape future pathways.

In 2025, our participants put in more than 187,000 hours practicing over 160 different skills, spanning trades, technology, arts, languages, and recreation.

The impact continues beyond the Award experience itself:

- 91% of participants said the Award made them more excited to try new things

- 90% reported improved problem-solving skills

- 66% of Award Holders still practice an Award-developed skill a decade later

Through our partnerships with Fanshawe College, Sheridan College, and a growing network of Education Operating Partners, we're connecting these skills to pathways students can carry into work and life beyond school.

That’s the impact of sustained, structured goal setting through experiential learning.

Read the full 2025 Annual Report: https://www.dukeofed.org/about-us/key-publications/

We are thrilled to celebrate today's announcement from the Ontario Ministry of Education, in partnership with The Duke o...
06/02/2026

We are thrilled to celebrate today's announcement from the Ontario Ministry of Education, in partnership with The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award – Canada and The King's Trust. It is an encouraging step in expanding access to experiential learning for young people across the province.

For over six decades, the Award has helped students build confidence, develop skills, and connect their learning to life beyond the classroom. We are proud to support more young people in Ontario to do exactly that.

Read more about the announcement here: https://www.dukeofed.org/articles/ontario-ministry-of-education-announcement/



Nous sommes enchantés de célébrer l'annonce faite aujourd'hui par le ministère de l'Éducation de l'Ontario, en partenariat avec Le Prix international du Duc d'Édimbourg – Canada et la Fondation du Roi au Canada. Il s'agit d'une avancée encourageante pour élargir l'accès à l'apprentissage par l'expérience pour les jeunes de toute la province.

Depuis plus de soixante ans, le Prix aide les élèves à renforcer leur confiance en eux, à développer leurs compétences et à faire le lien entre leurs apprentissages et la vie au-delà de la salle de classe. Nous sommes fiers de soutenir davantage de jeunes en Ontario pour qu'ils puissent faire exactement cela.

Pour en savoir plus sur cette annonce, cliquez ici : https://www.dukeofed.org/fr/articles-fr/ontario-ministry-of-education-announcement/

We’re excited to share two leadership promotions at The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award – Canada.Please join us ...
06/01/2026

We’re excited to share two leadership promotions at The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award – Canada.

Please join us in congratulating Karen Gormley on her promotion to Senior Director, Ontario Education Operating Partner Program Development and Partnerships, and Jeffrey Yao on his promotion to Director, Education Operating Partner Post-Secondary Talent Pathways.

Together, their work continues to strengthen partnerships, expand opportunities for young people, and support meaningful experiential learning pathways across Canada.

We are grateful for their leadership and continued contributions to the Award community. Congratulations to you both on this exciting next chapter!

We’re excited to officially announce a Collaborative Award Partnership between The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Awa...
06/01/2026

We’re excited to officially announce a Collaborative Award Partnership between The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award – Canada and Jill of All Trades (JOAT).

First announced during a Jill of All Trades event at Conestoga College last week, this partnership reflects a shared vision to support young people through hands-on, experiential learning opportunities connected to skilled trades and technologies.

Together, we are helping youth build confidence, develop transferable skills, and explore meaningful pathways into future careers.

Thank you to Rosie Hessian, Director of Jill of All Trades, and the entire JOAT team for their collaboration, leadership, and continued commitment to empowering the next generation of trades professionals.

Read more about the partnership here: https://www.dukeofed.org/articles/award-canada-partners-with-jill-of-all-trades/

Last week, Peel District School Board celebrated more than 100 Award Achievers, marking their inaugural year delivering ...
05/14/2026

Last week, Peel District School Board celebrated more than 100 Award Achievers, marking their inaugural year delivering the Award as a co-curricular framework across their schools. 🌟

Through service, skill development, physical recreation, and adventurous journeys, students pursued goals that reflected their own interests and passions. From volunteering in their communities and coaching youth sports to learning new skills and completing overnight expeditions in Algonquin, every journey was unique.

The Award is rooted in experiential learning and designed to work alongside curriculum, helping young people build confidence, leadership, resilience, and real-world skills through self-directed experiences beyond the classroom.

Thank you to the Honourable Edith Dumont for joining the celebration and sharing thoughtful words with students, families, and educators.

And thank you to the educators and mentors who supported students throughout this inaugural year. Your encouragement and dedication made these achievements possible.

Congratulations to every Award Achiever recognized last week. ✨

Read more on our blog: https://www.dukeofed.org/articles/peel-celebrates-108-award-achievers/

This Mental Health Week, Come Together, Canada reminds us that mental wellbeing is built through connection. The Canadia...
05/06/2026

This Mental Health Week, Come Together, Canada reminds us that mental wellbeing is built through connection.

The Canadian Mental Health Association reports that 17% of youth feel lonely “always” or “often.”

Through The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award, young people build connections through shared experiences — from volunteering to physical activity to new challenges.

These experiences lead to real impact:
✨ 88% report increased confidence in overcoming obstacles
✨ 81% report stronger sense of purpose
✨ 30% report improvement in emotional regulation
✨ 79% report increased self-confidence

Connection matters — and it makes a difference.

À l'occasion de cette Semaine de la santé mentale, Rassemblons-nous, Canada nous rappelle que le bien-être mental se for...
05/06/2026

À l'occasion de cette Semaine de la santé mentale, Rassemblons-nous, Canada nous rappelle que le bien-être mental se forge grâce aux liens sociaux.

L'Association canadienne pour la santé mentale indique que 17 % des jeunes se sentent toujours ou souvent seuls.

Grâce au Prix international du Duc d'Édimbourg, les jeunes tissent des liens à travers des expériences communes — du bénévolat à l'activité physique en passant par de nouveaux défis.

Ces expériences débouchent sur des résultats tangibles :

88 % des participants au Prix déclarent avoir davantage confiance en leur capacité à surmonter les obstacles

81 % font état d’un sentiment d’utilité plus marqué

30 % d’amélioration dans la régulation émotionnelle et l’adaptabilité

79 % font état d’une confiance en soi et d’une autonomie accrues

Ces résultats soulignent le rôle des liens sociaux dans le renforcement de la résilience et le soutien au bien-être mental.

110 young women. One powerful day at Fanshawe College.Jill of All Trades brought hands-on learning to life — from automo...
05/01/2026

110 young women. One powerful day at Fanshawe College.

Jill of All Trades brought hands-on learning to life — from automotive to sheet metal, participants tried new skills, connected with mentors, and explored what’s possible in the skilled trades.

This year also marked a major milestone. Fanshawe — the first college in Canada to become an Education Operating Partner with The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award — celebrated its first Women in Red Seal Skilled Trades cohort achieving their Bronze Award.

Congratulations to Holly Venter, Lillian Ramdeen, and Jordyn Marno, who received their pins, with Holly already registered to begin her Silver Award. 👏

The future of skilled trades in Canada is bright.

Thank you to Susan Cluett, Candice White, Corrine Rahman, and Laura Briscoe for sharing your insight and inspiring the next generation. A huge thank you to Fanshawe College for hosting and leading such an impactful day, and to Stephen Patterson, Britney Hunter, Ruth Lebelo-Almaw, and the entire team for bringing it to life.

Read more about the event here: https://www.dukeofed.org/articles/highlights-jill-of-all-trades-at-fanshawe/

As we wrap up National Volunteer Week, we’re celebrating the volunteers who make a lasting difference across our Award c...
04/24/2026

As we wrap up National Volunteer Week, we’re celebrating the volunteers who make a lasting difference across our Award community.

From Award Leaders to mentors and community volunteers, these individuals play a pivotal role in guiding young people as they build the skills, confidence, and resilience needed for the world of today and tomorrow.

Thank you for the time, care, and commitment you bring to every interaction. You are at the heart of the Award.

Interested in volunteering with the Award in Canada? We'd love to hear from you: https://www.dukeofed.org/our-program/deliver/volunteer-with-us/

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