Three young people have obtained youth work qualifications after several months’ study and hands-on experience.
Lauren Stoutt, 19, and Kyle Collister and Anthony Cooper, both 17, have completed a level one course in Volunteering in a Youth Work Setting at Ramsey Youth Club via the Open Awards.
Grainne Burns, a Youth Officer with the Department of Education and Children’s Youth Service, said: ‘This is an accredited course outlining the basics of youth work and the challenges that can occur when working with young people.
‘It has allowed them to be better prepared in planning sessions and understanding group dynamics. As a result of child protection training, they are more aware about keeping young people safe, too.’
Grainne, who was the trio’s tutor, said: ‘They worked hard in classroom sessions and then went back to the club and put what they had learned into practice. They then combined their learning and experiences in a portfolio of evidence, which was assessed by Open Awards.’
Vida Porter, Youth Worker at the Ramsey club, which meets at Auldyn School in the town on Monday and Thursday evenings, said completing the course had given the three ‘a much greater insight into the diversity of youth work’.
The Youth Service runs 53 different projects a week for young people aged eight to 21 (or 25 including the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award).
Its youth workers must gain a level two Introduction to Youth Work qualification and some move on to study for a more advanced qualification.
Young people in schools and youth clubs have already gained Open Awards qualifications in sound and lighting and mentoring, while those engaged with the Future You project, which is assisting young people not in education, employment or training, are working towards other qualifications with the body.
Grainne hopes other young people who are interested in youth work and are senior members in clubs they attend will take the level one course next year. Anyone interested should contact her via g.burns@doe.sch.im
Photo showing Lauren Stoutt and Kyle Collister – with Ramsey Youth Club members – with their Open Awards qualifications in Volunteering in a Youth Work Setting.
