Formalising the Young Leaders Pathway

With funding from Historic England, the Council for British Archaeology (CBA) is formalising the Young Archaeologists' Club (YAC) Young Leaders Pathway to provide structured leadership, mentoring, and archaeological skill development for 16-17-year-olds.

While Young Leaders have existed, their roles have varied across branches, creating inconsistencies in training, support, and expectations.

This project, developed in collaboration with stakeholders, aims to establish a standardised yet adaptable framework that empowers Young Leaders while equipping YAC Leaders with the necessary resources. Based on extensive consultation, the pathway ensures meaningful engagement, skill-building, and clear progression routes.


This report presents a summary of the Phase One findings from surveys and focus groups, forming the foundation for Phase Two, which will refine and implement the pathway throughout 2025.