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Youth Workers' Workforce Development Project

Finding out how the youth work sector can be better supported and strengthened to help young people is the aim of a project being led by the Ministry of Youth Development (MYD).

The Youth Workers' Workforce Development Project (YWWDP) was launched in response to research and anecdotal evidence that suggests youth workers are affected by a range of issues. It builds on some of the excellent work already done by the sector in this area.

The project, which began in July 2005, involves MYD partnering with people and agencies who work with young people and gathering and analysing information from the sector. The project focuses on those for whom youth work is their primary job (be it paid or unpaid).

A recent survey (conducted by the National Youth Workers' Network) of 637 people and agencies working in the youth work sector identified issues that they say have a negative impact on their work including lack of job security, a lack of formal training opportunities and few accessible qualifications.

Information sheet June 2006
For an update on this project see the link on the sidebar.

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