A unique opportunity for young people, either in their first jobs or still in full time education, to participate in a free leadership development programme is up for grabs.

Frontrunner is a free leadership development programme, designed to expand the leadership potential and horizons of people as they start their careers. The programme provides a unique opportunity for young people to get behind-the-scenes insights and increase their ability to make a difference in their communities, universities and where they work.

Run by leadership development organisation Common Purpose, the Frontrunner programme uses real life situations as its classroom. Participants will be taken to a diverse range of organisations where they will explore the problems being faced, alongside the people who are tackling them. This will be a rare chance to explore what is required to lead effectively with people already leading change in society. Participants will also build a stimulating new peer network
of other leaders across the UK.

Frontrunner is open to people over the age of 18, who may be either still in full time education or are in the very early stages of their career, and who have already shown evidence of leadership.

Julia Middleton, chief executive of Common Purpose says: “All too often, the need to focus on academic or work demands can overtake the passion and capacity in young people to lead and effect change on the issues they care most about. It is vital that there are many opportunities for people, in full time education or at the very outset of their careers, to consider how they can continue to grow as leaders, and meet others who are also already making a positive difference to where they live and work.“

Frontrunner is free of charge, and will be held twice in 2008, from 7-10 July at University College London and 1-4 September at the University of Leeds where the participants will stay during the course of the programme. There are 30 places on each programme and a short application process can be found online: at www.commonpurpose.org.uk or telephone 020 7608 8148 for further details. The closing date for applications is 30 May 2008.