Describe your sector in a nutshell.
Youth work focuses on personal and social development – the skills and attributes of young people – rather than to ‘fix a problem’. It is an educational process that engages with young people in a curriculum that deepens a young person’s understanding of themselves, their community and the world in which they live and supports them to proactively bring about positive changes.
What are the different career opportunities/jobs available in your sector?
Paid jobs in Youth Work are limited to part time youth support work and full-time youth and community work. Available roles (currently filled) within the Gibraltar Youth Service are as follows:
- Part-time Youth Support Worker (approx. 30)
- Full-time Youth & Community Worker (x5)
- Senior Youth & Community Worker (x2)
- Principal Youth Officer. (x1)
What’s interesting/fun about your sector/industry? Why should a young person want to work there?
Youth Work is a highly rewarding career path for those who are passionate about making a positive impact on young people’s lives. Youth workers have the opportunity to help young people navigate life’s challenges, whether that be personal issues, academic struggles, or societal pressures. It can be incredibly rewarding to see young people develop resilience and achieve their goals. Youth work involves a range of activities, including organising events and activities, running issue-based workshops, and providing both group and one-to-one support. One of the best things about youth work is the variety within the role; no two days are the same. Youth work can be dynamic and exciting. By empowering young people, youth workers can also have a positive impact on the wider community. Young people who receive support and guidance are more likely to become responsible citizens who contribute positively to society.
What is demand looking like in your sector? How do you think this will change in the future?
Currently there are 8 Full time Youth & Community work positions. This is supported by a large number of Youth Support staff (currently 30).
Our Youth Work Licence (JNC) is highly valued and can gain you employment in other settings when working with Young People.
What skills and qualities are desired in a candidate joining your sector?
Youth workers need to be adaptable, patient and empathetic, which can help them develop valuable skills that they can apply to other areas of their lives.
What is the approximate salary range can people earn?
As a local Youth Support Worker you earn a fixed rate of £11.59 per hour with most youth club sessions lasting 3 hours long.
As a fully JNC qualified Youth & Community Worker there is an 8 point scale with the current starting salary as £25,225, £26,367, £29,604, £32,193, £34,865, £38,088, £41,106, £42,451.
Senior Youth Worker and Principal Youth Worker posts can be applied for after a minimum of 5 years’ experience as a full time Youth & Community Worker as and when vacancies are released.
As a Senior Youth Worker and Principal Youth Worker the salary ranges between £52,000 – £60,000.
What career pathways are available for a young person wanting to join your sector? (University and non-uni routes)
The Gibraltar Youth Service offers a locally accredited course. Upon completion, this training course qualifies you as a local Youth Support Worker. Trainees have the choice of two routes: assessed and non-assessed courses. The non-assessed course is geared towards those wishing to volunteer, whereas the assessed course may be followed by those wishing to be considered for future, potential part-time employment within the Youth Service.
Following a selection process (involving an interview) for both routes, selected trainees are involved in an initial ‘Introduction to Youth Work – Aims, Objectives and Delivery’ session, and thereafter will participate in face-to-face youth work during evenings and weekends.
The assessed route will require trainees to evidence a set of core youth work skills and develop a relevant social educational project. Successful completion of the assessed route will result in the award of a local certificate in ‘An Introduction to Understanding Youth Work’ and eligibility to apply for future Part-Time Youth Support Worker vacancies.
If you are interested in studying youth work, it is important that you find a Youth Work university course that is validated professionally and that is Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) recognised. These courses will give you the status of professional youth worker. An updated list of these can be found on the National Youth Agency website (www.nya.org.uk) or via UCAS. This qualification enables you to apply to any future full time Youth Work vacancies.
Any advice you would give to a young person wanting to join your sector?
We would encourage any young person interested in Youth Work to make themselves known to us and visit us for future volunteering and training opportunities. This can be rewarding in itself but also a huge asset when applying for future employment not only in a youth work setting but in general.
We would also recommend gaining experience in other settings that cater for young people, such as sports & leadership programmes, outdoor adventure and mentorship.
