New National Youth Agency research finds Youth Worker apprenticeships, launched in 2022, are helping organisations tackle staff shortages by recruiting and developing local talent, including former users of youth services

Youth work is projected to be one of the UK’s fastest-growing professions by 2035, with the National Youth Strategy aiming for half a million more young people to have a trusted adult outside their home by then

Apprenticeships are widening access to the profession for people concerned about cost, career changers, and those unable to study full-time, with employers reporting apprentices bring fresh ideas and strengthen practice

The Level 6 apprenticeship is delivered by 13 Higher Education Institutions, with the first cohort due to graduate in October 2026

The NYA is launching a new Standard Qualification Framework for youth work this autumn, alongside work to explore funding support for the Level 2 qualification