How to become a youth worker

If you are considering a job in youth and community work...

Where do you begin?

1. The first thing to do is to have a look at youth and community projects in your local area and over the internet to get an idea of what the profession involves and what type of work is on offer. There are lots of types of roles and a big variety of organisations (e.g. small, large, local, national, international, local authority, crime prevention, liberatory, thematic/targeted, outreach or centre based)

2. Next, try to get some volunteering work at a local youth club or community centre. This will help you get experience and will help you make links with people who can help you with training or a job

3. Come on an ICA:UK course to build your expertise, see you courses section

3. Think about taking an NVQ course or a University course in Youth and Community Work (you might have to pay for this, or might be able to get a free course, ask at your local college and university)

4a. Then, if you are looking for paid work, join a few email lists such as Children and Young People Now as they have jobs updates. You should also ask around your local clubs and centres. If you do a course, you will do some placements in youth and community centres, so if you impress these places, they might be able to offer you some work. Don't be surprised if you get a part-time post at first. Lots of youth and community work jobs are part-time. You may end up having 2 or 3 part-time roles, or the part-time job might lead to a full time role.

4b. If you are not looking for paid work, then you might want to join your local CVS or volunteer centre, who are ikely to have lots of opportunities. You could also join a local 'timebank' and register on the national webisite for volunteering: do-it.org.

5. If you want further training, or want someone from the outside to come and help your organisation improve, plan for the future or consult with your stakeholders,  get in touch with us and we can help.

 

Good luck!