Youth Worker Apprenticeship

Why study this course

An apprenticeship is either fully funded through the Apprenticeship levy or 95% funded for small employers

All modules relevant to your organisation and network with like-minded professionals

Achieve a BA (Hons) Degree and JNC Professional Status whilst developing your career

Hugely rewarding Apprenticeship, developing your knowledge and skills to empower and help the lives of young people

Course summary

Youth Workers can be found in a range of settings where young people are present, including (but not limited to) youth projects, educational settings, health environments and the faith sector. We encourage applications from mature learners and recognise that their experience or qualifications may differ from others.

Please note, this course is currently going through validation.

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Key facts

Award	L6
Duration	3 years
Mode of study	Full-time
Awarding institution	Bishop Grosseteste University
Institution code	B38

About this course

The Youth Worker Apprenticeship will allow you to:

Engage with informal settings, such as youth clubs, activity-based or social action projects, or more formal, such as Local Authority Children's Services, hospitals, schools, alternative education provisions or youth custody.
Work with young people aged 11 to 19, or up to the age of 25 for those with additional needs.
Work with young people to develop holistically, to facilitate personal, social and educational development and enable them to develop their voice, influence and place in society, and reach their individual and collective potential.

This degree programme meets the requirements for professional validation by the National Youth Agency and is therefore recognised by the JNC conferring professional qualification status in youth and community work.

Tutors, apprenticeship support officers, and staff within the Centre for Enhancement in Learning and Teaching (CELT) develop very positive relationships with apprentices. This supports apprentices very well with their studies and helps them to progress.

Ofsted inspection report - January 2024

How to apply

To apply, employers please complete the short Request for Services form at the bottom of this page. Once we have received this form, the next step will be to send out the application form to the candidate(s).

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For an informal chat please contact the team at apprenticeships@bishopg.ac.uk.

Speak to us today

If you'd like to find out how we can support you to recruit an apprentice into your business, please email us at apprenticeships@bishopg.ac.uk or call 01522 563872 for more information.

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Entry requirements

There are no formal entry requirements for this apprenticeship although an initial assessment will take place to ensure the apprenticeship is the most appropriate training programme for the individual and employer. Candidates will need to be resident in the UK and in employment (with at least 50% of the working hours in England). Individual employers will set the selection criteria for their Apprenticeship and employment role.

As a guide, candidates might have A Levels (or equivalent) or existing relevant level 3 qualifications. Other relevant qualifications or prior experience may also be considered as an alternative alongside consideration of the suitability of the role being undertaken and the opportunities to develop and apply the required knowledge, skills and behaviours.

Typically, candidates will also have achieved qualifications in English and mathematics at a minimum of level 2 or equivalent (GCSE grade A*/9- C/4), and also demonstrate Information Communication Technology (ICT) skills at this level. Where approved English and Maths qualifications are not held, the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) funds apprentices to achieve qualifications in English and/or Maths to level 2 if they do not already meet the minimum requirements. These can be delivered through our designated Apprenticeship Support Officers alongside the apprenticeship and will need to be achieved prior to entering Gateway.

There are no upper age restrictions, although all apprentices must be aged over 18 as a minimum.

Applications for this programme can only be made through the sponsoring employer.

Each employer must:

Identify apprentices that may be suitable for the Youth Worker Apprenticeship;
Ensure the apprentice is undertaking real work, which is productive and gives apprentices opportunities to access, develop, practice and evidence knowledge and skills to meet the standard;
Allow the apprentice to attend external off-the-job training and assessment as part of their normal paid working hours;
Take part in quarterly reviews with BGU to review the apprentice’s progress;
Be expected to employ an apprentice for the full duration of their apprenticeship;
(In most cases) be expected to employ an apprentice for at least 30 hours per week.

Further information and requirements are outlined by the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education.

Youth worker (degree) / Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education

How you will be taught

Practice-based learning is fully integrated throughout all modules, and apprentices benefit from their practice setting's support. Students must spend at least 360 hours throughout the academic year in a related work setting (approximately 30 hours per week for apprentices). Throughout the programme, apprentices are expected to make links between their practice and theory, these are supported through the interactive elements embedded into each taught session where apprentices can share and discuss their practice. Module assessments are also designed to enable links between theory and practice.

Taught sessions are scheduled on one day a week for a minimum of six hours. A hybrid work-based learning combines practice experience with taught sessions and is underpinned with the use of online Virtual learning Environments (VLE’s). 50% of the time will be spent in contact work with young people between the ages of 11-25 years.

Careers & Further study

Childhood, Youth and Families apprentices work in a variety of contexts, and the degree assists them in developing their own professional practice and professional identity, with some apprentices going on to establish their own youth groups and provision for young people. A number of apprentices hold senior roles managing complex cases of vulnerable families and the degree supports their professional formation.

Through co-taught modules, apprentices get the opportunity to collaborate with experts in a variety of roles across the sector. This enhances employability since apprentices can broaden their thinking in respect to working with children and young people. Furthermore, it introduces apprentices to a variety of job opportunities that they may not have explored earlier.

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Career Development Progressions and Further Support

Studying at BGU is a student-centred experience. Staff and students work together in a friendly and supportive atmosphere as part of an intimate campus community. You will know every member of staff personally and feel confident approaching them for help and advice, and staff members will recognise you, not just by sight, but as an individual with unique talents and interests.

We will be there to support you, personally and academically, from induction to graduation.

Fees & Funding

Costs may be covered by government funding and/or your employer – employers who pay the Apprenticeship Levy will pay fees directly through the levy contribution.

Alternatively, businesses who do not pay the Levy may be able to claim 95% of the cost of tuition fees from the Government.

See further information on Apprenticeship Funding.