Leaders of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award in Bermuda are a little stronger after several days of intensive training.

For four decades, the Duke of Edinburgh's Award in Bermuda has provided a free programme of personal development for people between the ages of 14 and 25. To date, thousands have obtained their award in Bermuda.

There are three levels of the award bronze, silver, and gold. Each is made up of four main sections community service, skills, physical recreation and adventurous journeys.

All gold award participants take part in a fifth section a residential project taking many abroad on worthwhile projects.

The award programme has also enabled those over the age of 25 to become involved by volunteering as award leaders, assessors, and in other important roles.

Earlier this month, over 40 award leaders strengthened their skills and knowledge through the award leader certification course 'Fit for the Future'.

The three-day intensive course was held at the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute (BUEI).

The course was facilitated by international expert and regional award trainer, Jacqui Lightbourne-Maycock.

Mrs. Lightbourne-Maycock, a school teacher from the Bahamas, currently holds her Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards. She became a certified award leader in 2003.

In 2005, at the International Gold Event in Hong Kong, Mrs. Lightbourne-Maycock was elected by her peers from around the world to be an International Award Youth Representative.

In 2006, while in Antigua, she trained to become a member of the award's regional training panel for the Americas region and also in that year she trained in Scotland to become a member of the award's international training panel.

While keeping busy internationally and regionally Mrs. Lightbourne-Maycock also presides over the Bahamas Gold Award Holder's Association.

In Bermuda, she brought to the table a wealth of knowledge in working with young people and how to get the very best out of the award experience.

The free course covered such areas as principles of the award, the International Award Association, and the framework of the award.

National director Tina Nash said: "The course was an excellent opportunity for participants to develop new skills and learn best-practice techniques along with developing programme and assessment tools to ensure that the national award consistently delivers a quality award programme to all participants.

"It is also a great way to become better acquainted with the many new developments of the Award worldwide."

One participant stated: "I now feel better equipped to be an efficient award leader."

Others were thankful for the course being opened up to the general public and the opportunity to network.

The course also qualified as professional development hours by the Bermuda Educators Council.

At the conclusion, 42 people from all walks of life developed an appreciation of the benefits of the award programme to young people and found themselves well-equipped and, indeed, fit for the future.