National Apprenticeships Week: How Youth Social Action apprentices are making a difference

Written by Shcara Strudley Smith, Project Manager at the Association of Colleges (AoC)

In my role as a Project Manager at the Association of Colleges, I work very closely with colleges on a range of different projects to achieve and sustain tangible outcomes that support the college community. However, my project management experience with the Youth Social Action Programme (phase two), funded by the Pears Foundation, has allowed me to see the impact projects have on students more directly.

What is the Youth Social Action Programme (phase two)?

The Youth Social Action Programme (phase two) is funded by the Pears Foundation. The two-year programme aims to develop the skills and confidence of the student, connect colleges with local and national organisations, and embed sustainable delivery models for youth social action in further education.

Youth social action is a youth-led activity that makes a positive difference to an individual, a group of people or a particular environment. This often takes form in activities like fundraising, lobbying, or supporting. You can see more examples of youth social action in our case studies here.

I’ve had the pleasure of working with five Youth Social Action Apprentices across the South West, South East, East, East Midlands and North West regions to deliver youth social action activities across 14 member colleges. The apprentices are employed by a host college and share their time equally across two or three partner colleges within their region while completing their Level 3 Youth Support Worker qualification, delivered by Bolton College.

The programme has supported the apprentices to understand the fundamental principles of Youth Work whilst developing skills for engaging and working with young people in a further education context.

In year one of the programme:

• 75% of apprentices felt more confident in stepping outside of their comfort zone
• 75% of apprentices felt they are more confident in managing their time and knowing what tasks are a priority.

The apprentices felt that challenging themselves to new experiences and having on the job experience working directly with young people helped them develop their confidence in their role. They developed skills like project management, budget management, multi-tasking, adaptability and effective communication, all skills needed to become a leader in the youth work.

One apprentice said: “Seeing the success and impact the projects have made on the colleges and the wider community has made me realise that sometimes you have to step outside your comfort zone in order to encourage young people to do the same and together you can achieve big things.”

Not only have the apprentices developed their own skills but they have supported students to develop their skills too. In year one of the programme 2,300 students led and support projects across the 14 colleges. An estimated 13,700 students were indirectly impacted as a result. The apprentices collaborated with 54 local organisations and 19 national organisations through youth-led social action activities. And as a result, an estimated 12,700 community members were indirectly impacted.

One student said: “It gave me many opportunities that without the group, I wouldn't have sought out myself. It also increased my confidence greatly and allowed me to develop many skills that I can take forward with me after college. It is also a very good opportunity to make friends while beginning to have an understanding of professional relationships.”

Eddie Playfair, our Senior Policy Manager for Student Experience has also seen the difference the apprentices are making across our member colleges: “Our Pears funded Youth Social Action Project has made a real difference in all the colleges and areas involved – building student confidence and skills and helping to develop colleges’ capacity to support their communities. We’ve been able to support a wide range of really worthwhile projects and create a new generation of active and engaged leaders and organisers who are showing that they can change the world for the better.”

It’s been a pleasure to see the impact the apprentices have had on students. Hearing about the high-quality successful projects they have delivered has been outstanding and seeing the feedback from students on their experience of social action is incredible. We can’t wait to hear how they have developed throughout the last year of their apprenticeship. We thank the Pears Foundation for their generous funding to support an amazing and rewarding programme and Bolton College for delivering their apprenticeship.

What’s next for the apprentices?

The apprentices will continue to deliver youth social action until they complete their apprentice in June 2025. Colleges will look at providing permanent positions that incorporate youth social action to ensure delivery models are sustained and the impact on students and the community can continue.

For more information on the Youth Social Action Programme (phase two) click here, alternatively you can contact projects@aoc.co.uk