Rise in students on youth work courses

According to the National Youth Agency's Annual Monitoring Report of Youth and Community Programmes, the number of students recruited onto higher education programmes stood at 793 in 2014/15 - up from 701 in 2013/14.

Despite the increase, which equates to 13.1 per cent, student numbers are still well down on the 2008 figure of 1,470.

The research also found that youth and community programmes continue to be "woman-dominated" with 75 per cent of students in 2014/15 being female compared with 25 per cent male - a change from 65 per cent and 35 per cent the previous year. ??

"Evidence highlights continued challenges, but also shows that there is some good news in relation to the recruitment of students," the report states.

?"The gender profile of new students continues the trend of a higher proportion of female students than male. Similar to previous years, the trend remains consistent, with roughly two thirds female and one third male."

?The data collection also found the number of youth and community degree programmes on offer has decreased from 34 to 31.

??The number of students moving into statutory youth services also declined with just nine per cent going into "local authority youth service" compared with 17.5 per cent in 2013/14.

??But those finding work in the voluntary youth sector "remains strong", the report states, despite there being a decrease from 32 per cent in 2013/14 to 30 per cent in 2014/15. ??

The report also found the age of students is increasing.

"There are several reasons for this, including improving employment potential and reasoning that a higher level of qualification may lead to enhanced opportunities within changing services," the report states.

?"Opportunities for some older staff to extend their qualifications post restructure or redundancy has also influenced these figures."?

?The report adds that there are several issues that need to be addressed including supporting employers and employees to see the benefits of professional training; the need to clarify the pathways for professional development and extend the opportunities nationally for those starting out in youth work; and to look at the issues behind part-time course attendance and placements.