Review of Youth Work qualifications

Toitū te Waiora would like to announce the completion of its review of the Youth Work qualifications suite. These are now available on the NZQA website.

The qualifications were reviewed to ensure that they meet current and future demands and reflect the latest frameworks and research around the diverse and complex nature of youth work practice. This includes the integration of Mana Taiohi and Te Tiriti o Waitangi, the social and digital worlds where rangatahi exist, the known impacts of trauma and family violence, and the growing body of evidence regarding the mental health and wellbeing of rangatahi.

Consultation involved Iwi, Pacific, faith-based, community-related organisations, youth work sector peak and professional bodies, and training providers.

Main changes to the qualifications

General changes across the suite of qualifications:

• Graduate profile outcomes have been strengthened to reflect the latest research regarding the diverse and complex nature of youth work practice, including the integration of Mana Taiohi.
• Inclusion of a minimum number of hours for practicum.

New Zealand Certificate in Youth Work (Level 3):

• A title change to New Zealand Certificate in Youth Leadership to better reflect the focus of work the youth worker will be engaged in.

New Zealand Certificate in Youth Work (Level 4):

• Merging of graduate profile outcomes 1 and 2 as evidence for each outcome could be gathered in the same assessment(s).
• Addition of a new graduate profile outcome to acknowledge the high social need for mental health and well-being awareness, and the digital spaces where young people connect.

New Zealand Diploma in Youth Work Level 6:

• Graduate profile outcomes strengthened (lifted) to better reflect New Zealand Qualifications Framework Level 6 descriptors.

Development of a new Youth Work qualification

New Zealand Certificate in Youth Work (Level 5):

• A new qualification has been listed to provide more opportunities for ākonga to enter and exit the youth work professional pathway and build competence in achievable incremental steps. It will also be the appropriate level for professionals who work with rangatahi to develop and strengthen their practice (e.g. teachers, counsellors, police youth aid).

Development of Youth Work skill standards

Following on from the review of Youth Work qualifications Toitū te Waiora is commencing development work for a suite of new skill standards that will align with the four qualifications:

• New Zealand Certificate in Youth Leadership (Level 3) [Ref:2448] – 40 credits
• New Zealand Certificate in Youth Work (Level 4) [Ref:2449] – 80 credits
• New Zealand Certificate in Youth Work (Level 5) [Ref:4795] – 120 credits
• New Zealand Diploma in Youth Work (Level 6) [Ref: 3803] – 240 credits

A review panel is being established to help with this work, and you are invited to actively contribute to this review – contact us at: [email protected]

We would appreciate it if you could share this pānui across your networks and publish information on your website.