There are currently somewhere in the region of 3,000 students working towards professionally validated youth work qualifications in the UK. Some of these students will be in paid youth work and studying on top of their existing work commitments, but others will be full-time students and pinning their hopes on finding relevant employment once they graduate. In addition, there will be many more young people without a degree who will be hoping to gain a direct entry into youth work.
With the rapid contraction in the youth work job market over the past year, the question is just what entry-level jobs will be available in the near future? Increased competition will force experienced workers to accept more junior roles, potentially limiting the opportunities for those starting out. And all this is happening at a time when government has stated its vision is to have more unpaid volunteers involved in the running of public services.
But full-time youth work posts will survive. Without full-time workers, who will be there to support, advise and guide the army of volunteers and commission services in the short term? And when the economy picks up in the longer term, a new generation of energetic youth workers will no doubt be required to step in and fill the gaps voluntary groups simply haven't been able to fill.
Youth workers may find it hard to recommend their profession as an attractive career option at this time. But deterring young people from embarking on a career in youth work will ultimately harm the profession in the long term.
The sector needs to stand firm and continue to try to attract the best young talent.
