Youth Development Apprentice

Start a career that truly makes a difference. Earn while you learn with Nottingham City Council and gain a degree in Youth Work from Nottingham Trent University. This exciting apprenticeship offers the opportunity to build a professional career while working directly with young people across a network of vibrant youth hubs. You'll be part of an ambitious, citywide service delivering an integrated, open‑access offer across multiple centres. Working alongside experienced youth workers, you will deliver engaging sessions, build positive and trusted relationships with young people, and support their personal development and wellbeing. You'll work flexibly across connected youth hubs, gaining varied experience while helping to identify and support those who may need additional help.

As part of the apprenticeship, you will study for a fully funded Level 6 Youth Work Degree at Nottingham Trent University (NTU), combining academic learning with hands‑on experience.

What you'll learn

• Youth culture
• Education and transition
• Youth crime and risk‑taking behaviours
• Health and wellbeing
• Social mobility

Study Commitment

The face‑to‑face teaching element will take place at NTU Mansfield Campus (NG18 5BH) one day every two weeks, with the next course expected to start in January 2027. There is also a requirement to undertake six hours of online off‑the‑job learning during alternate weeks. Applicants must be able to commit to this pattern of study throughout the apprenticeship programme.

Eligibility Requirements

• Be aged 18 years or over at the start of the apprenticeship.
• Be employed for a minimum of 15 hours per week for the full duration of the apprenticeship programme, ending on 31 October 2029.
• Demonstrate the motivation and ability to study successfully at degree level.
• Have good organisational and time‑management skills, with the ability to balance work and study commitments.
• Be able to attend NTU Mansfield Campus one day every two weeks and complete six hours of online learning during alternate weeks.
• Hold a Level 3 qualification, preferably the National Youth Agency (NYA) Level 3 Youth Work qualification, although this is not essential.
• Have experience of working or volunteering with young people, or relevant lived experience of youth work; this is desirable but not essential.

Note that English and Maths qualifications are not required for entry; however, apprentices aged 18–19 who do not already hold these qualifications may be required to achieve them as part of the apprenticeship.

What We're Looking For

We're looking for someone who is passionate about supporting young people, motivated to learn, and confident in building positive relationships. You don't need extensive experience – your enthusiasm, commitment, and willingness to make a difference are what matter most. From day one, you'll earn a salary, develop practical skills, and receive ongoing mentoring from experienced professionals, creating a clear pathway into a qualified youth work career. On successful completion, you will achieve a BA (Hons) in Youth Work and a professionally recognised Youth Work qualification endorsed by the National Youth Agency. This is more than an apprenticeship – it's your chance to build a meaningful career while helping young people shape their futures.

Nottingham City Council is committed to recruiting a talented workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We are a fair and inclusive employer and welcome applications from people from all backgrounds and with different abilities. We recruit for diversity and value difference. We particularly want to hear from you if you are from Minority Ethnic communities, identify within the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer+ community (LGBTQ+) and if you are Disabled - these groups of people are underrepresented in our workforce, and we’d like to reflect our local population more through our recruitment processes. We are supportive of flexible working arrangements wherever possible and we would encourage you to discuss this with us during the selection process, should this be something you are interested in.