Careers in Youth Work

Careers in Youth Work

While traditionally much of the training for youth work was done on the job, currently the majority of Key Youth Work Agencies insist on a relevant Higher Education or Third Level qualification before entry to this career.

It might be noted that there isn’t a standardised pay arrangement in place for Youth Workers and salaries vary from organisations to organisation – some pay better than others – there are attempts being made within the Youth Work Sector to look at these issues.

It probably is also worth mentioning that most Youth Work takes place in the afternoons and evenings with some weekend work required. A certain percentage of 'direct contact time' with Young people is required from the majority of Youth Workers.

In this respect it is not a career move that appeals to all, but the idea is that Youth Worker will be available and accessible to young people during out of school hours.

There is a minimum contact time with groups required by the funders so it’s not office based – except where filling in funding applications, plans and reports – very much practical work.

Some Agencies will release staff for part-time programmes which are also available. CE staff and volunteers often start with some Fetac 5 modules, like ‘Young People and Society’, or ‘Understanding Youth Work’ or ‘Working with Young People’ as part of a Youth Studies Course. This type of course starts to give them an understanding of basic psychology, sociology, history and structure of Youth Work, as well as exploring the challenges of 'issue based' Youth Work.

People with a wide range of qualifications can find a career in Youth Work. But there are a number of specific qualifications including PLC courses in Youth and Community Work, Social Care, Care Practice which are particularly applicable.

With PLC’s it should be noted that specific grades are required before progression to the IT’s is possible, this often catches people out and they find themselves in-eligible to progress to the next level at the IT’s, I’ve come across this before in relation to some social care courses.

There is also scope for specialised professionals and sessional tutors with skills and qualifications in Adventure Sports/Outward Bounds, Drama, Art, Media, Music, Spors Coaching etc., to work with Youth Groups on an hourly rate of pay.

Youth Agencies host a wide range of students on work placement. These include Transition Year and community/charity work placements. Students from PLC’s, IT’s, Universities, Community Guards and local training services like FAS.

Checking out the job descriptions for Youth and Community Work will give young people and idea if this is what they feel they have the skills and qualities for it –practical on the job experience tends to confirm this for them in a more concrete way. FAS Careerd Directions and the A-Z of Careers will give a snapshot of th skills required for Youth and Community Sector jobs.

There is usually some confusion over Social Work and young people are often unaware that the need a Post Grad to be a Social Worker in Ireland.

Youth Information officers often have a broad base of qualifications and experience, and the people I know come into to the field with formal teaching qualifications, youth work qualifications with a specialisation, librarian skills, sociology, and psychology etc.

Males are particularly welcome into Youth Work as there is an absence of male role models for many young people and Youth Workers often fulfil this role - it's a bit like in Primary Teaching where they are also trying to find positive Male role models for the students and redress the gender inbalance which crops up in some of these 'caring professions'.

Mature Adults who are looking for a change in career direction also find the Voluntary and Community Sector a rewardng place to work.