Foundation Certification
CYL —
Certified Young Leader
CYL — Certified Young Leader is an independently assessed foundation certification recognising young people who demonstrate leadership initiative, responsibility and measurable impact through education, community, voluntary, entrepreneurial or early workplace activity.
A Foundation Certification — Not a Professional Level
CYL is a standalone foundation certification. It is not Professional Level 0 on LII's CEL-to-CXL pathway, it is not a prerequisite for CEL, and holding CYL does not automatically progress a candidate toward CEL. CEL is assessed on its own governing criteria — genuine leadership accountability for a project, initiative, workstream or group of people, independent of age or prior certification.
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Not Professional Level 0 — CYL sits outside LII's CEL-to-CXL professional pathway entirely.
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Not a CEL prerequisite — CEL applicants are assessed on CEL's own criteria regardless of whether they hold CYL.
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No automatic progression — holding CYL does not carry a candidate forward into the professional pathway.
What CYL Recognises
CYL recognises demonstrated leadership initiative, responsibility and measurable impact across the settings where young people typically first take on leadership.
Education
Leadership shown through school, college or university roles — societies, student representation, peer mentoring and organised initiatives.
Community
Leadership shown through community organising, local initiatives, and responsibility taken within community groups or causes.
Voluntary
Leadership shown through volunteering roles — organising, coordinating, or taking responsibility for outcomes within a voluntary organisation.
Entrepreneurial
Leadership shown through starting or running a venture, project or initiative — and the responsibility that comes with it.
Early Workplace
Leadership shown through early employment — taking initiative, responsibility, or a coordinating role beyond the basic requirements of the position.
Eligibility & Assessment Detail — Subject to Confirmation
The following details have not yet been finalised. They are listed here for transparency rather than left unstated.
- Applicant age range
- Certification fee
- Membership entitlement, if any
- Post-nominal designation, if any
- Assessment weighting and panel composition
- Required evidence/portfolio volume
- CPD hours, if applicable
- Certification validity period
Contact the LII assessment team to register interest ahead of confirmation.
Register Interest in CYL
CYL is in development. Contact the LII assessment team to register interest ahead of confirmation of eligibility and assessment detail.