In January 2006 the North-South Education and Training Standards Committee for Youth Work was launched.
This Committee is co-chaired by Derek Capper, currently chair of the Youth Work Training Board for Northern Ireland, and Dr Maurice Devlin, Professor of Community and Youth Work Studies, National University of Ireland, Maynooth. It includes nine representatives each from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland and brings together a broad range of youth work knowledge and experience, including voluntary and statutory sector employers, higher education staff, youth work trainers and trade union interests.
As the name "North-South Youth Work Education and Training Standards" implies, the Committee sets standards for the professional formation of youth workers in Ireland. At present its work is focused on the professional endorsement of courses offered by Higher Education Institutions but the Committee also has a role to play in raising the standards of training at all levels.
The North-South dimension offers almost unlimited potential for the exchange of expertise, the development of new cross-border training programmes and sharing of resources. Indeed this has already been evident in the partnership working that created this body and set out the requirements for the achievement of professional endorsement. The Committee will ensure that those courses it endorses are sufficiently equipped to provide the education and training necessary for the professional formation of youth workers who will be equal to the demands of a youth work environment that is becoming increasingly challenging.
The North-South Youth Work Education and Training Standards Committee will contribute to ensuring high standards of training for youth work and will ultimately facilitate the creation of pathways for youth workers who may wish to progress by increments from basic training to professional qualification.
