Universities drop youth work training courses

Liverpool John Moores University will close its youth work course to all new students from September.

CYP Now understands the University of Southampton is suspending its course for a year, and one other university is planning to drop its Joint Negotiating Committee-accredited course.

A spokeswoman for Liverpool John Moores University said: "In effect, the university is full and now in danger of incurring penalty costs. The Youth and Community Work Programme is one of a number of programmes that have been withdrawn. This particular programme has reflected diminishing interest and poor completion rates over the past three years."

But according to the National Council for Voluntary Youth Services, interest in youth work courses has been increasing and is likely to continue when further universities bring in degree programmes from 2010.

Susie Roberts, chief executive of the Association of Principal Youth and Community Officers (Apyco), said the move contradicts the government's investment in the youth workforce. "In difficult economic times universities have to make difficult decisions. But given the high-profile government investment in the youth workforce, universities deciding to discontinue with existing courses does not make sense," she said.

"This shows a lack of linking between the Department for Children, Schools and Families and the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills."