10.5 Youth workers
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Status in national legislation
Currently, there are no top-level policies, measures or guidelines regulating the status of youth workers in the country.
However, there is an ongoing process for the development of the occupational standards of the youth worker. The process begun in the framework of the project “Establishment of mechanisms for the validation for non-formal and informal learning-pilot implementation” of the Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth. Since the end of the project, the Ministry has assigned the Youth Board of Cyprus with the task to coordinate the development of the occupational standards. For this purpose, the Youth Board is working closely with the Human Resource and Development Authority (which is the competent authority on all occupational standards in Cyprus), the Cyprus Youth Council and the Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth.
The competence model that is used in the aforementioned framework is based on the Salto-Youth ETS competence model for youth workers and the Council of Europe youth work portfolio.
Education, training and skills recognition
Currently, there are not any paths in formal education leading to a qualification as youth worker in Cyprus.
The training opportunities for continuous professional development of youth workers (volunteers and/or professionals), either directly organised or funded by public authorities, are those offered through the EU Programmes “Erasmus+ Youth” and “European Solidarity Corps”. Specifically, youth workers, volunteers and/or professionals- have the opportunity to continue their professional development and expand their competences by participating in Erasmus+ mobility of youth workers or Cooperation and Networking Activities organized by the National Agency in the country.
Training opportunities for the professional development of youth workers are also funded through the Funding Schemes “Youth Initiatives”. Moreover, trainings for the development of skills, such as digital and communication skills, are also provided by the Youth Board at the Youth Multicentres.
With regard to skills recognition, as mentioned above, there is an ongoing process for the development of the occupational standards of youth worker and the procedure for the validation of skills, knowledge and competences gained by youth workers. Within this process a training programme will also be developed, facilitating thus the youth workers to fulfil the prerequisites of acquiring the title.
Mobility of youth workers
The Youth Initiatives Programme of the Youth Board of Cyprus offers the possibility for youth workers to take part in cooperation and networking opportunities on international level. According to the programme, youth workers can get funding to participate in a training activity, seminar or conference abroad, in Europe as well as beyond. The funding covers the travelling expenses. The main objective is the professional development of youth workers.
Moreover, mobility opportunities for youth workers are offered in the framework of the Erasmus+ Youth Programme, which is administered by the Foundation for the Management of European Life Long Learning Programmes as of 1/1/2024.