NYA launches new youth work qualification
Fiona Simpson
Friday, January 13, 2023
The National Youth Agency (NYA) has launched a new qualification for youth workers designed to increase skills within the sector.
The new level four certificate in professional development (youth work) aims to help practitioners “develop their skills in specialist areas”, according to the NYA.
It is aimed at youth workers and those who wish to make use of youth work methods in the services they offer, such as social workers, police officers, those working in the emergency services and teachers.
The qualification reflects the NYA’s five-year workforce development strategy, in particular its aim to develop further training and resources for youth organisations and partner sectors.
It has been developed to increase specialist knowledge within the sector as well as well as reflect changes in policy and emerging challenges within the sector, including an increasing need for mental health support, vulnerability to gangs and exploitation and barriers into employment.
The qualification also provides opportunities to build knowledge and confidence in key areas of the National Youth Work Curriculum such as participation and identity and belonging.
All learners must undertake the introduction to professional development (youth work) unit which focuses on the youth work relationship, working in partnership and reflection on the student’s own professional development and then select two of 23 further units.
Additional units cover themes such as trauma- informed practice; gender identity; mental health and wellbeing; race and racism; disability; faith; violence, gangs and exploitation; digital youth work; leadership and management in youth work and participation and democracy.
There are also units relating to youth work in different settings such as children’s social care, formal education, youth justice, social work and the secure estate.
Kevin Jones, director of workforce at the NYA, said: “Youth work attracts those who are passionate and dedicated to supporting young people to fulfil their potential, but we know that the country needs more of them and our aim is to attract some 10,000 new professionally qualified full-time youth workers within 10 years.
“The NYA is committed to promoting youth work as a career, as well as making the case for investment to support training. This new qualification is the first step in our strategy to attract ambitious people into the sector and help existing youth workers to progress their careers.”
Learners must be over 19 years of age and hold a formal level 3 qualification in youth work (or related discipline) to apply for qualification via one of the Awarding Bodies: Skills and Education Group, the AIM Group, NCFE, NOCN Group, Agored Cymru, and Open Awards.
The new level four certificate has been developed by the National Youth Agency in collaboration with the Education Training Standards (ETS) Wales and Education Training Standards (ETS) England for individuals working in a youth work environment.
For more information visit Level 4 Certificate in Professional Development (Youth Work) – NYA