Youth Work Workforce Development Group (WDG)

Background

The Youth Work Workforce Development Group builds on the work of the Workforce Development Implementation Participation Group, which concluded its role at the same time as the Youth Work Strategy Implementation Board (2022-2025) came to the end of its term in September 2025. This work was in turn based on the 14 recommendations of the Interim Youth Work Board in its final report ‘Time to deliver for young people in Wales’’ (September 2021), and on achieving Aim 3 of the Youth Work Strategy that ‘Voluntary and paid professional Youth Work staff are supported throughout their careers to improve their practice’, and working towards Aim 5 ‘A sustainable model for youth work delivery’.

In its workplan the WDIPG focussed principally on recommendation 13 concerning the workforce development of the Youth Work workforce, and kept a watching brief on recommendations 7 and 8. The WDIPG workplan included three key objectives: conducting a comprehensive skills and training audit; establishing a Youth Work Workforce Development Plan; and developing a funded training and qualification programme. The first two objectives have been achieved, and the third significantly progressed, thanks to the active participation of the Youth Work Sector, the unstinting work of the Workforce Development Officer, and the invaluable support of the Welsh Government.

However, the Youth Work workforce needs constant, consistent and increased development and support in order to provide an adequate and effective youth work offer for the young people of Wales. It is proposed this be taken forward by the Youth Work Workforce Development Group, the members of which will be drawn from across the youth work sector.

The WDG will be part of the remit of ETS Cymru | Wales to facilitate and support workforce development for the Youth Work sector in Wales. ETS is committed to a whole sector approach to workforce development, ensuring the involvement of all parts of the Youth Work sector in the work of WDG, and working closely with Welsh Government and other key stakeholders in taking this work forward.

a) Implementing the Youth Work Workforce Development Plan in consultation with the Youth Work sector, ETS, and Welsh Government;

b) Advising ETS and Welsh Government on short, medium, and longer-range actions to identify gaps in provision and priorities for the additional workforce development pilot funding provided by Welsh Government;

c) Implementing short and medium-term actions covering the training and qualification of youth workers and youth support workers, and the professional learning (CPD) offer for youth work staff (paid and voluntary) at all levels; addressing recruitment and retention issues; advising Welsh Government and the Education Workforce Council on registration issues; and promoting youth work as a profession / career;

d) Working with key stakeholders, including Welsh Government, to ensure the availability of adequate resources to support the Youth Work workforce.

The Terms of Reference can be found here (although subject to change): WDG Terms of Reference (ENG) 

Click here to see the information pack: Workforce Development Group 061025

Membership

Membership of the WDG is to be based on the following criteria:

a) Commitment to workforce development and training;

b) Skills and experience in workforce development and training;

c) Balancing membership to ensure the different and diverse sections of the Youth Work sector are represented.

To apply to become a member of the Workforce Development Group, click HERE to complete the expression of interest form.

The deadline for application is: 24th November 2025