Youth Worker / Trainer (Pathways Programme)

YouthAction; Belfast City District; Hybrid; GBP 28,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Inclusive and friendly working enviro

Attractive annual leave and service‑or

Wellbeing days at Christmas

Family-friendly policies and sick pay

Personal development opportunities

Investors in People Gold

Job summary

YouthAction NI is seeking a dedicated Youth Worker/Trainer to deliver the Pathways Programme within our Life and Work Skills pillar in Belfast. This 2-year post involves accredited OCNNI Level 1-3 training, non-accredited sessions, and leading Youth Achievement Awards initiatives to boost NEET employability.

The role requires strong youth-work delivery, coordination across regions, and collaboration with UU to deliver Level 4 Certificate training. A driving licence and flexibility are essential.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years’ experience of working with young people and delivering a range of youth work training programmes.
• Full UK Driving Licence and access to a car (or commitment to achieve this within 6 months).
• OCNNI Youth Work Assessor Training is beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Deliver the Pathways Programme by supporting targeted member groups through OCNNI Level 1-3 accredited and non-accredited training and workshops.
• Coordinate Youth Achievement Awards and deliver programmes and events for NEET young people to enhance employability skills.
• Support the UU Level 4 Certificate in Community Youth Studies delivery and assess portfolios/course assignments to standards.
• Develop and deliver a range of short programmes and workshops to meet member group needs.
• Support registration and certification for endorsed and accredited courses.

Skills

Youth work

Training delivery

Programme coordination

Education

OCNNI Level 1-3 training

Ulster University Level 4 Certificate in Community Youth Studies

Job description

Youth Worker / Trainer (Pathways Programme)

As Pathways Youth Worker, you will be responsible for the delivery of our Pathways Programme within our Life and Work Skills pillar.

Closing Date

November 18, 2026

Location

Belfast

31,000

Contract

2-year post with excellent potential for extension

Hours

37.5 hours per week

About the role

YouthAction NI is an outward and forward-looking learning organisation with a conscious and evolvingleadership culture.

We work to meet the changing needs of young people through Youth Work and Youth Arts. We are a membership-based youth work and arts charity that actively works with young people as partnersto tackle inequalities in their lives.

We create opportunities that support young people to develop theirconfidence, creativity, skills, wellbeing and leadership.

Our vision is: Young people leading change for a fair and inclusive world.

Our work is delivered through four key areas:

• Creativity – maximising young people’s creative expression.
• Skills – improving young people’s life and work skills.

What matters to us?

• Youth-led and community-driven – We Belive young people are powerful agents of social change. Wework alongside young people, recognising their ideas, experiences and potential.
• Creating opportunities for young people to thrive – Our programmes provide safe spaces and opportunities to build confidence, resilience, skills and positive relationships.
• Working towards a fair and inclusive society – Our work focuses on tackling inequalities, improving lifechances and supporting positive change across Northern Ireland.

Our mission is to:

• inspire young people as activists;
• grow inclusive and outward-looking communities;
• and build a peaceful and shared society.

YouthAction NI has regional bases across Northern Ireland, including Belfast, Armagh, Derry/Londonderry, Enniskillen, Kilkeel and Newry

Key Responsibilities

As Youth Worker/Trainer, you will be responsible for the delivery of our Pathways Programme by supportingour targeted member groups through accredited (OCNNI Level 1-3) and non- accredited training andsupport workshops, coordinating Youth Achievement Awards and delivering programmes and events for(NEET) young people to enhance their employability skills.

You will also play a key role in supporting thedelivery of the UU Level 4 Certificate in Community Youth Studies.This is a role for someone who is passionate about making a positive impact on the lives of young peopleand local community youth groups through training, recognising achievement and supporting leadershipgrowth and development

Youth Achievement Awards (YAA)

• Coordinating Youth Achievement Awards across the regions and being responsible for direct YAAdevelopment and support in the eastern corridor (Ballymena, Antrim, Belfast, North Down, Ards, Lisburn) and southern regions.
• Building relationships and connections directly with YAA country coordinators across our GB crossnations partners (Youth Scotland, UK Youth and Youth Cymru) to contribute to and support YAAstrategic development, quality assurance and resource development.
• Promoting Youth Achievement Awards to all our member groups, schools, and wider audiences.
• Delivering training, information sessions and workshops to promote and support delivery of the awards.

Training and Assessment

• Delivering our suite of accredited OCNNI training (Level 1 – 3) to our member groups as directed byQuality Assurance Senior Leader.
• Supporting the delivery of Ulster University Level 4 Certificate in Community Youth Studies.
• Undertaking the assessment of learners’ portfolios/course assignments in line with OCNNI and UlsterUniversity awarding body standards.
• Developing and delivering a range of short programmes and workshops to meet member group needs.
• Supporting the Quality Assurance Senior Leader in the registration and certification for endorsed andaccredited courses.

Youth Employability

• Delivering programmes, skills building events and workshops for young people (NEET) within ourYouthStart youth employability project across the greater Belfast area and surrounding Councils.
• Working with employers and other key stakeholders to identity opportunities to support young peopleon their pathway into work or further training.

Membership Development

• Coordinating membership support and growth in the Eastern corridor (Ballymena, Antrim, Belfast,North Down, Ards, Lisburn).
• Directly supporting membership needs and relevant support in the Eastern Corridor including trainingand support workshops.
• Organizing, planning and running annual celebration and connection events for young people and ourmembers.
• Delivering Keeping Children and Adults Safe (KCAS) training to member groups

The above is given as a broad range of duties and not intended as a complete description of all tasks

We're looking for someone who is organised, self-driven and motivated. You'll be someone who canmanage your own workload, communicate effectively with a range of people and work collaboratively aspart of a team.

You'll also need to be flexible and adaptable, with the ability to manage competingpriorities and work effectively under pressure.

We are looking for someone who has an affinity with YouthAction’s vision and mission and will bringpassion and energy to their work

• Full UK Driving Licence and access to a car (or a commitment to achieve this within 6 months ofstarting the post).
• Minimum 5 years’ experience of working with young people, delivering a range of youth work trainingprogrammes.
• An affinity with the vision and mission of YouthAction NI.
• It would be beneficial if applicants also have OCNNI Youth Work Assessor Training.

At YouthAction NI, we offer a range of benefits to support our staff.

• Inclusive and friendly working environment.
• Attractive annual leave with length of service rewards.
• Allocated wellbeing days at Christmas.
• Occupational family-friendly policies.Occupational sick pay.
• Personal development and in-service training opportunities.
• Investors in People Award (Gold).

Working at YouthAction NI

• As part of the wider YouthAction NI team, all staff are expected to contribute to the organisation's work and support its wider activities.
• All staff should contribute to and participate in fundraising events.
• All staff must attend in-service training when required

About YouthAction NI

YouthAction NI is an outward and forward-looking learning organisation with a conscious and evolving leadership culture that embraces self-evaluation and continuous improvement to best meet the changing needs of young people through youth work and youth arts. We are a membership-based youth work and arts charity that actively works with young people as partners to tackle inequalities in their lives. Through such intention and purpose our mission is to: improve their life chances; inspire them as activists; grow inclusive and outward looking communities; and build a peaceful and shared society.
We have regional bases in Belfast (College Square North), Newry, Armagh, Kilkeel, and Enniskillen. As part of our strategic goals, we strive for a sustainable and robust financial base that is used for high quality youth work and value for money outcomes. We demonstrate the highest levels of governance and operational excellence within a clear constitutional and legal framework.