ABSTRACT
A new model of HE youth worker pre-service training at the undergraduate level, with an additional Honours year, was created for Australia in response to the concern that Australian HE youth work students were not acquiring the same skills as those of their Australian vocational education (VE) and overseas counterparts. Suitable for delivery elsewhere, the new model consists of 24 core units, including courses about the family, refugees, health/well-being and the new technologies, 11 electives and 780 hours of practicum (Year 1: 240 hours, Year 2: 240 hours, Year 3: 300 hours). An additional Honours year was included.
Based on an extensive research study, this included a literature review utilising available documents, an in-depth examination of historic and current HE youth work programs in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the USA, and interviews with program directors, past and recent graduates and youth organisations in each nominated country. A demographic and social profile of Australia’s young people, based on an analysis of Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) census data (2001, 2006, 2011) and global youth surveys identified current trends and issues pertinent to Australia’s youth.
Positively appraised by 12 international youth work reviewers, the new model was deemed to be a good balance of theory and practice that would ensure youth work graduates were work-ready upon graduation with the necessary essential knowledge and competencies required of new youth workers.
