Scenic World has joined The Duke of Ed Employer Project – a new initiative that encourages employers and young people to participate in the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award.
Scenic World’s Philip Hammon joined Blue Mountains MP Trish Doyle at a New South Wales Parliamentary reception to make the announcement last week.
NSW education minister Adrian Piccoli and opposition leader Luke Foley launched the initiative to a group of attending MPs, business supporters and community organisations in the Jubilee Room at New South Wales Parliament.
The purpose of the Duke of Ed Employer initiative is to encourage more young Australians to take part in the award and to encourage employers to hire new young employees who have attained the award.
The initiative also encourages employers to use the award as a training and development tool for their existing workforce.
“An initial 28 organisations have already signed up to be Duke of Ed employers, and I recognise the great response in particular from western Sydney businesses,” said Shane Stone, Duke of Edinburgh International Award chairperson.
Trish Doyle congratulated Scenic World on their decision to sign up as foundation participants in the employer scheme.
“Scenic World is an iconic attraction in the Mountains, and young people in our community with a passion for travel and the outdoors are lucky to live in a region with so many employment opportunities in these industries,” she said.
“The Duke of Edinburgh Award is the perfect complement to a young person’s new career in the tourism or outdoor recreation industries, so I encourage other Blue Mountains businesses to get involved and sign up to the Duek of Ed Employer program.”