1 month left to register for Young Scotland Programme

The Young Programme’s aims are to enhance communication skills, inspire confidence, and broaden the intellectual horizons of people in the early years of their careers. These core objectives are at the heart of everything we do here at the Young Programme.

Although the minimum age for our events is 18, there is no upper age limit: delegates may be young in years, or in terms of professional development, or both. People who have come late to a career, for example, are positively encouraged irrespective of age.

A central part of all of our courses is the presentation by each delegate of a 900-word paper (“Argument”) on a topic – of the delegate’s choice – of current interest or controversy. Researched, written and submitted in advance, the paper is delivered during the event. Our coaches provide advice – in a written briefing before the programme and then in rehearsal before the papers are presented.

And there’s much more, including:

• Guest speakers sharing their extraordinary life experiences in the Testimony sessions;
• The 90 Second Challenge, in which delegates ask themselves a question on a subject of their own choice and answer it without notes;
• The Group Challenge, in which delegates are divided into small discussion groups, allocated a topic, and given a short time to prepare an informal presentation;
• and Yes, No, Don’t Know, the major debate on a big issue of the day.

The entire event adds up to a rich and unique experience. Everyone who completes the course will receive a certificate – in recognition of an outstanding achievement. In addition, based mainly on the Argument paper, the Scotland Young Thinker of the Year title will be awarded to a delegate on the final evening. There will also be an award for Best Group in the Group Challenge.

The venue for this programme is the Western House Hotel, Ayr. The cost of the programme is £1380 plus VAT per delegate, which includes accommodation (single occupancy) and all meals. Registration is in the afternoon of Tuesday 26 November and participants will check out after breakfast on Friday 29 November. The cost of the programme for any nominations made would be met from Directorate budgets, so if you are interested in attending, please discuss this first with your line manager.

The Young Programme website provides further information on the programme, including a Young Programme brochure with information.​​​​​​​

The closing date for nominations is Tuesday 15 October.