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Youth Work Training and Development

We’re constantly working to improve youth work practice in Scotland. From introductory qualifications to degree-level study, we can help you find the right training opportunity for you.

At YouthLink Scotland, we offer training, resources, networks and guidance on a range of important and emerging areas of youth work practice to build your confidence, skills and knowledge to deliver high-quality youth work. 

Our professional learning offer ranges from blog articles, through e-learning, face to face and online workshops and learning communities, to our national conferences and conventions. Our training and development opportunities are for all youth workers: volunteers; paid staff; sessional; full time;  managers. 

These professional learning opportunities aim to build skills and confidence according to the Competences of Community Learning and Development (CLD) and the Youth Work National Occupational Standards. 

Highlights from our 2021-2022 Training Report

3158
individual learning places provided
162
online events delivered
48
themes covered in workshops and events

“Inspirational is an understatement...your model for curation of inspirational innovative youth work practice sharing.”

Digital Youth Work Conference Participant

E-learning

As well as browsing the resources on our website and watching recordings of webinars and keynotes on our YouTube channel, you can access learning opportunities in your own time through our NKBL Learning Hub and our online Cyber Resilience basics for youth work course.

How to become a youth worker

There are many ways into the youth work sector as a volunteer and as a paid staff member, and there are learning pathways that can prepare you for different roles and stages in your practitioner journey. 

Woman listening intently to a presentation at a conference.
Youth Work Courses & Qualifications
Find the appropriate youth work training and qualifications to take your career to the next level.
A girl sits at a table wearing a black hoodie with 'CLD Volunteer' on the back
Volunteering as a Youth Worker
Volunteers make up the majority of the workforce and volunteering is a common career pathway into youth work, where you can develop key skills in a working environment. Find out how you can get involved.
A school girl in a blazer talks to a youth worker, who is listening intently
Professional Frameworks for Youth Work
Find the most up-to-date versions of the youth work sector's professional frameworks, including the National Occupational Standards and the National Youth Work Induction.
A youth worker in a red hoodie with 'Youth Worker' on the back watches a young person present to the group
Modern Apprenticeships
The Modern Apprenticeship in Youth Work was developed by the sector and encompasses all the skills you require to gain a basic level qualification in youth work.

Emerging and priority areas of practice

Youth work starts where young people are, and this means physically, developmentally and in terms of their needs and priorities. So it’s critical that the youth work sector can stay up to date and continuously build skills and knowledge to support young people. We offer training and resources on some key themes:

Young girl with glasses smiles at the camera - wearing a green hoodie
Equalities & Participation
Equality is at the heart of all good youth work, supporting young people to overcome barriers caused by inequality.
Youth worker talking to young person on a bridge over a cycling path
Public Health and Prevention
We promote youth work's role in Scotland's public health approach to tackling violence and health inequalities.

Read More

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Digital Youth Work
Digital is here to stay, and it’s growing faster than ever. That’s why we are here to support the youth work sector to make the most of digital.

Youth worker with long blond hair and a beard teaches young people how to build a sustainable bug hotel
Learning for Sustainability
Learn more about youth work's role in Scotland achieving it's 2030 vision for Learning for Sustainability in education.
Youth worker teaching a young person how to fix a bike
Employability
Youth workers support young people to recognise their skills and personal achievements (including using youth awards) and to understand how these relate to their learner journey and the world of work. 
Young women looking through their exhibition items at the National Library of Scotland
Children's Rights
Children's rights underpin all youth work practice ensuring children and young people feel valued and reach their full potential.

Hungry for learning?

Check out the latest available workshops, webinars and training courses in our Events page, or find all manner of rich resources and learning materials in our one-stop-shop Resource Library.

News & Events Resources
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Visit our youth work vacancies page

Ready for that exciting new youth work opportunity? We post the latest job opportunities from the youth work sector and beyond, so why not see what's available and take your next step today.

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