My Youth Work Training Journey

Looking back over my 15 years in youth work, it’s amazing to reflect on how much has changed, both in the sector and in the way we train new youth workers.

I began my journey in 2013, fresh from completing my postgraduate diploma and earning my JNC qualification. Full of enthusiasm and energy, I was ready to make a difference for young people. But it was also a challenging time: youth services were facing huge cuts, local authority youth clubs were closing, and opportunities for training new youth workers were starting to shrink.

Fast forward to 2025, and youth work is still here. Youth workers remain a resilient, passionate bunch, committed to supporting young people despite all the obstacles. The need for our work has never been greater, and thankfully, there are still fantastic training providers helping to keep quality youth work education alive.

Training is vital. Youth work isn’t just “something anyone can do.” It’s a distinct profession, as important as teaching or social work, requiring a unique set of skills, knowledge, and ethos. It’s about voluntary engagement, active participation, and creating safe, informal spaces where young people feel valued and heard.

Here at YG, we’ve recently launched the Level 3 Apprenticeship in Youth Support Work, as part of our commitment to ensure there are trained youth workers supporting young people. I’ve had the privilege of helping design and deliver this programme, and it’s been a real joy to return to theory and explore how it applies in practice. Not only does this help me keep my own practice fresh and young person focused, but it also allows me to share youth work values and skills with the next generation of practitioners.

Working with apprentices reminds me why I first chose this career. Their energy and enthusiasm rekindle my own passion and inspire our veteran youth workers as well. At YG, this combination of experience and fresh perspective strengthens everyone involved, keeping youth work alive, relevant, and effective.

Apprenticeships aren’t a replacement for university-level education. There’s immense value in the depth of study offered by higher-level qualifications, and I hope some of our apprentices will continue their learning journey. But apprenticeships provide a fantastic entry point for anyone looking to step into the field and right now, we need more trained, skilled youth workers than ever.

Being part of this process, helping people take their first steps into youth work, and ensuring young people are supported by qualified, passionate practitioners is incredibly rewarding. It’s a reminder that nurturing enthusiasm and energy isn’t just about the young people we work with it’s also about keeping our own commitment to youth work alive.