The National Youth Agency: Young people get the credit

The main aim of 'Giving Young People Credit: Awards, Accreditation and Learning' was to capture the development opportunities arising from the Tomlinson 14 to 19 reforms, the improving youth services agenda and work-based learning reforms. Carolyn Hayman OBE, chief executive of the Foyer Federation, was among the keynote speakers, and outlined the current accredited programmes and wider activities available for 14- to 19-year-olds. Martin Lamb, director of the Learning and Skills Council's Young People's Learning Group, then discussed how awards in work-based programmes can stimulate learning.

Also speaking at the conference were two young people, whose contribution was appreciated at all levels. Hayley Symons, a 22-year-old mother of one, described how getting involved with the Millennium Volunteers and, prior to that, with Getting Connected, had a profound influence on her life. Seventeen-year-old Dannielle Tocker admitted that she had found education a struggle, but had nevertheless amassed a wealth of achievement and experience through youth work-related activities, particularly through the WAYS Music Room initiative. Hayley is now in training to be a youth worker, while Dannielle sits on both her local Connexions management committee and a youth council.