Personal Leadership Program

Using 40 practical tools that develop skills and strategies of students in areas of wellbeing, resilience and leadership, the Personal Leadership Program is our most comprehensive service.

Program overview

With the support of two trained facilitators, the 60-hour Personal Leadership Program is delivered to year 10 students, one day a week, for 10 weeks over a school term. Students engage through group discussions, video, self-reflection, goal planning and personalised coaching that allows the program to be tailored to the needs and goals of each student.

By adopting program principles, young people learn the skills to make positive choices and, as a result, are more motivated in school, confident in themselves, and able to tackle life’s challenges.

Delivery models include direct facilitation from Youth Opportunities, and partial and full licenses, which involve upskilling teachers or community members to deliver the program under the support and guidance of Youth Opportunities.

Watch out! This program will change your life! I was ready to quit school and become a drop out, but this program has reminded me of what’s important to me and what my future could be if I just try.

Graduate

Thank God for Youth Opportunities. Before the program, my daughter was withdrawn and unhappy. Now she has her confidence and spark back. She is a different girl!

Parent of Graduate

Topics covered

The Personal Leadership Program is grounded in psychology theories and uses principles of positive psychology and cognitive therapy to help build emotional intelligence and resilience in young people.

  • Self-Talk, Self-Image, and Self-Confidence
  • Communication – positive, negative, and how to be a good communicator
  • Happiness – from instant gratification to long-term happiness
  • Stepping Outside Your Comfort Zone – how to get it done
  • Organisation – skills that will help get your life in order
  • Goal Planning – how to decide what you want and how to actually make it happen
  • Conflict Resolution – because life happens
  • Habits & Motivation – the good, the bad, and how to make them work for you
  • Emotional Intelligence – what’s working for you, what’s not, and how to handle the not-so-great emotions
  • Success Definer – because everyone is different, but we all have a dream

93% of program graduates feel more responsibility for taking action in their lives

Outcomes

The measurement and analysis of our programs are as much a part of the delivery as the content itself, ensuring we have a meaningful effect on the lives of young people.

84

%

have better relationships

92

%

have higher confidence

88

%

improved their self-image

83

%

are more motivated towards school

86

%

have developed better time management and organisational skills

84

%

have a good action plan to achieve their goals

85

%

have a clearer understanding of their future

26

%

increase in students aspiring to undertake an apprenticeship

48

%

increase in students aspiring to attend TAFE

Measure of Wellbeing

Positive wellbeing in adolescents is identified and measured using five constructs known as EPOCH: Engagement, Perseverance, Optimism, Connectedness, and Happiness. Our graduates’ EPOCH results are not only statistically significant, but they also demonstrate the immense impact of the program.

Measure of Psychological Distress

The Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10) measures general levels of distress, anxiety, and depression. Questions are asked of Personal Leadership Program Students in week 1 and week 9 of the program. In 2021, after completing our Personal Leadership Program, despite the continued negative effects of COVID-19, we saw a one-third reduction in the number of young people at risk of developing a mental health disorder.

The Logistics

1 day per week

60 hours of training

18 students per program

2 trainers per group

Held off-campus

Graduation ceremony on completion of program

20 SACE points

2 years of post-program support

Access to scholarships

The Methods

Student-led discussion

Group work

Trainer facilitation

1-1 coaching

Book work

Audiovisual content

Personal reflection

Weekly challenges

The biggest thing I got out of the program was confidence. I can talk to people now without second-guessing myself and feeling embarrassed.

Jack, Youth Opportunities Graduate

The kids go into this program and they come out completely changed! They come out confident, focused and determined young people who actively contribute to the school community.
Youth Opportunities is the best investment a school can make.

Trevor, former Principal

Talk to us about how we can partner with your school to deliver our Personal Leadership Program

Contact us