Why Retrain as a Youth Worker?

Our MA Community Development and Youth Studies programme is the ideal platform for community workers looking to advance their careers, or for graduates looking to retrain. In the UK, community development skills are in demand, and opportunities are increasing across the nation.

From assisting in criminal justice to working in social care, being a youth worker allows you to make a huge difference. Here are just some of the reasons to consider retraining:

Improve quality of life for young people

Youth and community workers get a great deal of job satisfaction, and they have a direct impact on people’s lives. Unlike other jobs where you may not get to see the end result of what you do, youth work requires high involvement with service users, their families, and the local community.

Work in a range of settings

Youth work is required everywhere, from education to the prison and probations services. As a youth worker, you will be able to apply for jobs in youth offending teams, in voluntary organisations, in faith groups or schools.

Find plenty of job opportunities

As well as being able to experience a diverse range of work settings, you will also have access to a fantastic choice of opportunities up and down the country. Local authorities in England employ around 4,000 full-time youth and community workers, with a further 7,000 workers being employed by voluntary organisations.

Change stereotypes and prejudices

Not only do youth workers impact people’s lives directly, but they contribute to positive change in the wider community. By working through behavioural issues with young people, they alter stereotypes, remove prejudices, and foster cross-cultural socialisation.

Promote inclusivity in society

A report by Impetus reveals that children from poorer backgrounds are “twice as likely to be out of work in later life”. Youth work aims to improve inclusivity by giving everyone a chance to reach their potential.

If this sounds like something you’re passionate about, find out more about enrolling in January 2021 for our MA Community Development and Youth Studies course. There’s nowhere better to begin your retraining journey than the University of Bolton. Not only do we rank in the Top 5 in the UK for Teaching Quality (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2020), but we’re also listed in the Top 50 UK Universities in The Guardian University League Tables 2021.

Furthermore, students have voted us No.1 in the North West for Student Satisfaction for three years running (Complete University Guide in 2021, 2020 and 2019)! So join us to invest in a better future, and enjoy #UniAsItShouldBe.