Youth Apprenticeship

Hours: 30 per week inclusive of 1 day per week University study

Salary: See full ad for details

Location: Based at a local GMYF Youth Centre in Manchester or Trafford with regular attendance at Ormside Mill Outdoor Residential Centre in Cumbria

Responsible to: Outdoor Education Manager

Contract: Fixed 3-year apprenticeship contract with potential for FT employment on completion of successful apprenticeship.

Salary/Grade: £20,982 with the option of an auto enrolement pension

Greater Manchester Youth Federation (GMYF) is a long-established charity running vibrant youth centres across Greater Manchester. We are dedicated to raising aspirations and creating opportunities for young people, especially those facing disadvantage. A key part of our offer is the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme and our approach champions youth voice, inclusion, building confidence and resilience. We offer outdoor education activities, including residentials at our Ormside Mill Residential Centre in Cumbria.

The Youth Work Apprentice will work alongside professionally qualified youth workers learning the skills and qualities of the youth work profession. The apprentice will attend sessions on a weekly basis as well as committing to a university study day each trimester. A central focus will be to engage and support young people 11–18 years to take part in outdoor education activities including the Duke of Edinburgh Award.

There will be an expectation for the apprentice to attend residential events, expeditions and wider outdoor activities e.g. canoeing, climbing and hill walking to encourage and support young people taking part in these activities. Apprentices will learn a range of essential youth work skills including mentoring, boundaries, safeguarding and reflective practice which they will utilise in their work with young people, carrying out their roles with enthusiasm, integrity and professionalism.

An overarching skill and ethos of the role will be to build trustful and meaningful relationships with young people for which ongoing training will be provided. Understanding the barriers some young people face and how to overcome these will be a regular feature of the youth worker portfolio of skills. While the core components of youth work skills will be central to the role a significant amount of time will be spent supporting young people to experience and enjoy outdoor activities which is central to our mission of improving the life chances, inclusiveness and resilience of young people.

The role will involve regular travel and overnight stays which will need to be worked flexibly to meet the needs of the charity. A TOIL system is in place which is subject to agreement with line manager.

• Undertake a course of studies at degree level attending university one day per week developing a broad range of skills, knowledge and behaviours to achieve a professionally recognised youth worker Degree Apprenticeship.
• Develop a working knowledge of GMYF’s policies and procedures in line with the requirements of the organisation and to meet the Apprenticeship Standard.
• To have a high regard to and comply with GMYF’s Safeguarding Policy and Procedures and to maintain a strong working knowledge of appropriate safeguarding developments.
• Provide high levels of performance which comply with GMYF’s commitment to young people, particularly those facing disadvantage and wider barriers to participation and achievement.
• Under supervision, work closely with other team members to assist (and as skills levels develop lead) in a range of youth work projects and areas of specialism e.g. outdoor education.
• Plan, coordinate, and support young people aged 11–18, up to 25 with additional needs, to take part in the Duke of Edinburgh Award, reflecting GMYF’s youth work approach, values and behaviours.
• Develop progressive outdoor learning pathways that support personal development, confidence, teamwork, leadership, and wellbeing.
• Work collaboratively with youth workers to integrate outdoor education into wider youthwork programmes, targeted interventions, and school partnerships.
• Ensure…