High school · Flagship
Trailblazer Program
The enke: Trailblazer Plus Program inspires and supports high school youth to create and lead meaningful change in their communities.
About Trailblazer
Trailblazer+ is enke’s flagship school‑based leadership development programme for high school learners. It equips young people aged 14–18 with the skills, confidence, and support to become active leaders in their schools and communities.
Through Trailblazer+, learners build power skills such as communication, problem‑solving, collaboration, and self‑belief, while gaining hands‑on experience designing and leading School and Community Action Projects (S/CAPs). These projects enable learners to respond to real challenges in their school and local context, strengthening civic engagement and social responsibility from an early age.
Trailblazer+ is designed as a preventative intervention, supporting young people to develop agency and leadership before they transition out of school and face higher risk of disengagement or exclusion.
Benefit to Youth & Communities
Benefit to Youth
Through Trailblazer+, learners develop:
- Confidence and leadership identity
- Practical project and teamwork experience
- Communication and problem‑solving skills
- Increased self‑belief and motivation
These skills support learners not only during their time in school, but as they transition into post‑school education, employment, or enterprise.
Trailblazer alumni consistently report that the programme helped them:
- Feel more confident speaking up and leading
- Approach challenges with greater initiative
- Navigate future opportunities with clearer purpose
Benefit to Communities
Trailblazer+ contributes to:
- Stronger learner leadership and accountability
- Youth‑led solutions to school and community challenges
- Increased civic participation and social cohesion
- Positive role modelling and peer influence within schools
By enabling learners to lead meaningful projects, Trailblazer+ supports schools to cultivate proactive, engaged, and socially responsible young leaders.
How Trailblazer Works
Trailblazer+ is delivered over 6–9 months and combines skills development, action‑based learning, and ongoing support. The programme includes three core components:
1. Leadership & Skills Development
Learners participate in regular, facilitated workshops hosted at their schools. These sessions focus on:
- Personal leadership and self‑awareness
- Communication and teamwork
- Data‑informed problem identification
- Project design and planning
- Accountability and reflection
Workshops are interactive, practical, and rooted in young people’s lived experiences.
2. School & Community Action Projects (S/CAPs)
Trailblazers apply what they learn by designing and implementing School or Community Action Projects. These projects are:
- Identified by learners themselves
- Aligned with school improvement priorities
- Implemented through Trailblazer Clubs, engaging peers across grade levels
S/CAPs allow learners to practise leadership through action — strengthening both their skills and their sense of agency.
3. Support, Recognition & Celebration
Throughout the programme, learners receive guidance and mentorship from trained enke facilitators known as Trailblazer Champions. Support focuses on accountability, encouragement, and problem‑solving.
At the end of the programme, learners are formally recognised for their leadership and contribution through certificates and celebration activities that honour their effort and impact.
Impact Over Time
Since 2009, Trailblazer and Trailblazer+ participants have designed and led over 1,000 school and community‑based initiatives, addressing issues ranging from education support and environmental action to health, safety, and social cohesion.
Research with enke alumni has shown that young people who complete leadership and action‑based programmes like Trailblazer+ demonstrate:
- Stronger power skills and leadership behaviours
- Higher engagement in civic and volunteer activity
- Greater likelihood of continued participation in education, leadership, or social action
Trailblazer+ serves as a foundation for continued engagement across enke’s broader youth development pathways.
Get Involved
Trailblazer+ is implemented in partnership with schools, education stakeholders, and funders committed to youth leadership and education improvement.
If you are interested in:
- Partnering to implement Trailblazer+
- Supporting learner leadership development
- Contributing to school‑based youth empowerment
Get in touch with enke to explore collaboration opportunities.