Growing Capability, Strengthening Consistency – An Evaluation
Research commissioned by the National Youth Agency between August 2025 and March 2026 explored the impact of Level 3 and Level 6 Youth Worker Apprenticeships on apprentices, employers and training providers.
The evaluation highlights how apprenticeships are helping to strengthen the youth workforce, widen access to youth work careers and support organisations to develop skilled practitioners who can meet the needs of young people. It also identifies opportunities to improve consistency and learner experience across the apprenticeship system.
Who did we survey?
The mixed-methods evaluation combined 49 apprentice survey responses with interviews and focus groups involving apprentices, employers and training providers. Evidence was also drawn from programme monitoring data and annual higher education monitoring returns. The research explored how apprenticeships are delivered, experienced and sustained across the youth work sector.
What the evaluation tells us about youth worker apprenticeships
The research demonstrates the growing importance of apprenticeships in developing the youth work workforce.
The Apprentices reported increased confidence, stronger professional knowledge and improved communication skills, while employers report enhanced quality of delivery, new ideas and a more sustainable workforce pipeline. Apprenticeships are also widening access to youth work careers for people who may not be able to afford traditional education routes, those with caring responsibilities and individuals seeking a career change.
The findings also show that many youth organisations are using apprenticeships to develop talent from within their own communities, helping to create a workforce that better reflects and understands the young people they support.
”Apprenticeships are widening access to the profession, enabling people who may not have been able to pursue traditional qualification routes to gain the skills, confidence and professional recognition they need to meet young people's needs.
Kevin JonesHead of Workforce, National Youth Agency
Key Findings
Apprenticeships help youth workers build confidence, professional knowledge and communication skills
Apprentices consistently reported that their apprenticeship had strengthened their confidence and professional identity. Many said the combination of academic learning and practical experience helped them better understand youth work theory while improving their day-to-day practice. Apprentices also highlighted improvements in communication, reflective practice and working with professionals from other sectors. The ability to immediately apply learning in real-world settings was identified as a major benefit of the apprenticeship model.
Apprenticeships are strengthening the professional identity of youth work
The research found that apprenticeships are helping reinforce youth work as a skilled profession. The apprentices reported feeling more confident in their professional identity and valued the opportunity to gain a recognised qualification while continuing to work. Employers and providers also highlighted the role apprenticeships play in ensuring greater consistency in professional standards, knowledge and practice across the sector
Most apprentices feel valued, supported and listened to throughout their learning journey
Most apprentices described positive learning experiences and reported feeling supported by their employers, training providers and peers. Apprentices valued opportunities to reflect on their practice, access guidance from experienced professionals and learn alongside colleagues from across the youth sector. Flexible support was particularly important for those balancing work, study and family commitments.
Apprenticeships are helping employers address workforce sustainability and recruitment challenges
Employers described apprenticeships as an important route for attracting new talent and developing existing staff. Many viewed apprenticeships as part of their wider workforce strategy, helping build capacity and ensure organisations have the skilled practitioners needed to meet growing demand for youth work services.
Employers are using apprenticeships to develop talent from within their communities
Many organisations reported using apprenticeships to “grow their own” workforce by creating opportunities for local people and existing service users to progress into professional youth work roles. Employers highlighted the value of having practitioners with first-hand knowledge of local communities, helping ensure youth services are culturally relevant, responsive and informed by lived experience.
Apprenticeships are widening access to youth work careers and qualifications
The research found that apprenticeships provide an accessible route into youth work for people who may not be able to pursue traditional higher education pathways. Apprentices highlighted the benefits of earning while learning, while employers noted the value of attracting people with a range of backgrounds and experiences. Apprenticeships were particularly appealing to career changers, people with caring responsibilities and those concerned about the cost of study.
Apprenticeships are providing accessible routes into employment for young people
The apprenticeship model enables people to gain qualifications while working, helping remove some of the barriers associated with traditional education routes. Employers also reported that apprenticeships create opportunities for young people and emerging professionals to enter the workforce, gain practical experience and begin building long-term careers in youth work.
Protecting learning time and sharing good practice will further strengthen apprenticeship delivery
While experiences were overwhelmingly positive, the research identified opportunities to further improve apprenticeship delivery. Apprentices and providers highlighted the importance of protected learning time, manageable workloads and consistent employer support. The report also recommends sharing effective practice across providers to help ensure all apprentices benefit from high-quality learning environments and positive learner experiences
”Our youth work apprentices bring an authentic understanding of the needs, challenges and aspirations of the young people we support. Their insights help shape and strengthen our services, ensuring they remain relevant, inclusive and responsive to the needs of our community.
Maggi HuckfieldCEO, Liberty Jamboree
NYA’s ambitions for the youth work sector
The National Youth Agency believes youth worker apprenticeships should play a central role in developing the workforce needed to deliver the ambitions of the National Youth Strategy and the NYA’s Workforce Transformation Plan. Apprenticeships are recognised as a key route to strengthening and growing the youth workforce and will play an important role in delivering the workforce expansion needed to achieve the Strategy’s ambitions.
Apprenticeships also align with the government’s shift away from a “degree by default” approach by offering a practical, work-based route into a skilled and rewarding professional career.
The NYA is committed to working with employers, universities, training providers and government partners to strengthen the quality and consistency of apprenticeship delivery, improve employer support and promote more accessible pathways into youth work.
The NYA will also continue to explore opportunities to establish a funded Level 2 pathway into youth work, helping create clearer progression routes for those not yet ready for Level 3 qualifications.
Growing Capability, Strengthening Conistency
