03 October 2023
The Jersey Youth Service (JYS) has launched an apprenticeship programme in partnership with
Highlands College and Skills Jersey. As part of their apprenticeship, the nine trainees within JYS are
working towards a Level 3 Diploma in Youth Work Practice.
The programme, which is funded by Skills Jersey and JYS, is designed to build on youth workers’
existing experience by enabling them to develop additional knowledge and practical skills so they
can support young people to make a positive transition to adulthood.
Youth workers support young people with their personal, social and educational development.
They provide safe spaces and help them to learn life skills through youth work activities tailored to
their needs.
The apprenticeship programme is accredited by the National Open College Network and endorsed
by the National Youth Agency. It will be delivered over two years and will include modules on anti-discriminatory practice; young people’s development; and youth work in digital spaces. While most
of the programme is work-based, trainees will also have class-based sessions one day a week
during term time.
Currently, trainee youth workers can sign up to distance learning programmes delivered by UK
universities at BA or MA level, which can take up to four years to complete. They must often go to
the UK, balancing work and home life alongside travel.
As the new programme will be delivered in Jersey, apprentices will not need to travel off-Island. It
also means the programme will include issues and topics relevant to young people and youth work
in Jersey.
JYS and Highlands College will provide pastoral and academic support and each trainee will be
allocated their own dedicated Trackers mentor.
Minister for Children and Education, Deputy Inna Gardiner, said: “Youth workers are an important
part of our community. They support young people - including those who struggle to engage with
class-based learning - by providing safe spaces and high-quality opportunities.
“There are already so many dedicated youth workers, and this is a fantastic opportunity for the
Jersey Youth Service to develop their skills and knowledge, while continuing to deliver this amazing
work.”
Training and Development Officer for Jersey Youth Service, Alanna Rice, said: “The Jersey Youth
Service wants to identify talent and support trainees to develop their career with us. Many of our
trainees have attended youth clubs or projects, started out as volunteers, or switched to be part of
the Service.
“This is why harnessing the talent and skills of our trainees, volunteers and sessional youth workers
is crucial: this qualification gives them the chance to keep developing and provide the best possible
support to children and young people.”
Associate Director for Young People’s Services, Mark Capern, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity
to help the Youth Service build a local sustainable workforce and grow our own youth workers on
Island. I thank the nine staff that have started their professional youth work training through this
route and look forward to them all having a long and fulfilling career in youth work.”
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