Proposals for youth work apprenticeships unveiled
Adam Offord
Monday, July 27, 2015
Tailored apprenticeships to create youth workers specialising in community sports programmes are being developed as part of a government initiative.
Sports charity StreetGames, which provides sports opportunities for young people in disadvantaged communities across the UK, is leading a consortium of 15 employers to develop a new community sport apprenticeship as part of the government’s apprenticeship trailblazer programme.
The “community health and sport activator apprenticeship”, which will be developed over the next nine months, is intended to equip apprentices with the skills they need to successfully engage with young people for positive social change.
The apprenticeship will focus on teaching a range of skills such as sports development, youth work, physical activity and play work, along with the aim of improving public health, social cohesion and community engagement.
Employers involved with the development of the apprenticeship include Manchester City Council, Birmingham City Council, Places for People Leisure, Active Nation and Street League.
Jane Ashworth, chief executive of StreetGames, said: “We’re delighted that we, with the help of our partners, now have the opportunity to develop a pathway that will directly lead these young people into the workplace.
“Our hope is that our programme will ultimately help create the leaders of the future who are able to inspire the next generation.”
Nick Boles, minister for skills, said: “Giving employers like StreetGames the power to design apprenticeships means apprentice graduates have the skills they need for the job they want and businesses get the talent they need to grow.
“Young people on these programmes will have the opportunity to learn sought-after skills and enjoy a great start to a working life.”
Phil Smith, director of sport at Sport England, added: “Sport apprenticeships provide an opportunity for people to develop their skills and use them to benefit their local community.”
The government's trailblazer apprenticeship programme is part of plans to deliver three million new apprenticeships by 2020.
It is intended to give employers a greater say in designing apprenticeships that meet the needs of industry.
In May, it emerged that the Association of Director’s of Children’s Services is working to develop apprenticeships that would offer various groups, including former services users and existing volunteers, to be paid professionals in a range of children’s services roles including early intervention work with families, as well as residential care.
