"This is part of the process for ensuring good practice within Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC)-validated higher education programmes," said Amanda Fearn, workforce development officer at The NYA. "It also enables a picture of the developing workforce to be formed and highlights shifts and changes within the make up of students and the destinations of newly qualified JNC youth and community professionals."
Major findings for the year 2006/07 show that 1,398 new students enrolled on programmes, and 35 per cent were male, down from 40 per cent the previous year. There continues to be a spread across the age range, with a slight drop in the 30-34 category and a slight increase in the under-21s. Ethnicity of new students is still predominately white, yet there is increased representation across all other categories, with the second highest percentage being from black and black British origin. Just over half of students entered an undergraduate programme with A-levels, with the remaining 49 per cent showing a spread across NVQ/Ramp or other qualifications on entry.
The gap between newly-qualified professionals employed in the voluntary sector and the statutory sector has widened for the second year (26 per cent compared to 36 per cent). There is a rise in those employed in Connexions services and grant-funded organisations with a drop in community work settings. There is continued growth in other areas, namely school-based youth work, youth justice, health and environmental projects, positive activities and youth inclusion work.
"The year sees a drop in the number of JNC-qualified supervisors which may reflect the integrated youth support service environment students are placed within. The background of those supporting them will be broader than traditional youth work," said Amanda Fearn.
No programmes were unsatisfactory, with 83 per cent judged to be satisfactory or above. "There continues to be good practice across programmes with a real strength in the range and scope of placements that provide students with new experiences in different cultural settings that help add depth and breadth to professional formation" Fearn added.
The full report can be found at www.nya.org.uk.
