Launching Apprenticeships

Back in May, Young Gloucestershire (YG) began the exciting journey of becoming an apprenticeship provider. After months of planning, preparation, and some “drowning in compliance” moments, we were accepted onto the framework as a provider of L3 youth work support. From the outset, this felt like so much more than simply starting a new training programme,  it was about investing in the future of youth work and creating opportunities, for our own staff and for our friends in the sector.

We are really pleased to be welcoming 3 of our own apprentices in September, alongside a wider cohort of others from our local VCSE organisations. One of our new apprentices has accessed YG services in the past. She first came to us as an asylum seeker more than three years ago. She talked in her interview about how transformative that was for her, and how excited she would be to use that experience as a driver for her own learning. Now, as an apprentice youth worker within our organisation, she is bringing that passion and insight into her role, showing exactly why apprenticeships are such a powerful pathway into this sector. Stories like hers highlight the transformative potential of youth work, both for those we support and for those who choose to build their careers in this field.

What has inspired us most is the passion of the apprentices we have recruited. Each one brings energy, commitment and a genuine drive to make a difference in the lives of young people. Even in these early weeks, they have become highly valued members of our team, reminding us of the importance of investing in the next generation of youth workers.

This step is also about strengthening the wider sector. Youth work has faced significant reductions in recent years, with fewer training opportunities nationally and a shortage of JNC-qualified staff. By offering apprenticeships, we are not only growing YG’s capacity but contributing to a more sustainable future for youth work. We are excited to collaborate with organisations across Gloucestershire and wider, sharing learning and building partnerships. By bringing apprentices together from different organisations we hope this builds lasting relationships in the sector, people keen to work together because they trained together. The key for us is bringing people together in a room to learn and reflect. By committing to in person training, we are focusing on participation, informal learning and reflection, some of the key values of youth work itself.

Apprenticeships provide accessible routes into youth work, combining practical experience with formal training. They create a pipeline of skilled, dedicated workers who understand both the challenges and rewards of supporting young people. For YG, becoming an apprenticeship provider is about more than training, it is about responsibility. It is about nurturing future leaders, embedding youth work values, and ensuring that young people across our county have the best possible support today and in the years ahead. We hope to add more apprenticeship offers in the future so watch this space.