ESTONIAN YOUTH WORKERS? PROFESSIONAL GROWTH: WORK-LOAD AND TASKS? FACTORS IN YOUTH WORK SPECIALISTS?OPINIONS

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maarika Veigel
Keyword(s):  
Professional Growth ◽  
Work Load ◽  
Youth Work ◽  
Youth Workers

scholarly journals ESTONIAN YOUTH WORK EXPERTS PROFESSIONAL GROWTH: CASES STUDY

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. 213-224
Author(s):  
Maarika Veigel
Keyword(s):  
Professional Education ◽  
Professional Growth ◽  
High Mobility ◽  
Work Load ◽  
Impact Factors ◽  
Youth Work ◽  
Special Focus ◽  
Youth Workers ◽  
Personal Factors ◽  
Structured Interviews

Estonian youth work (YW) has been in development almost 30 years. In the last more than 15 years the same trends have been observed in the studies in terms of professional development: the shortage of employees with professional education and workers high mobility. At the same time, the progressive decisions and regulations made in Estonia, on the field of European YW are exemplary. Thus, the prerequisites for professional YW were created and experts in the field have also developed.The aim of research was to give an overview of the stories of becoming as experts. Semi-structured interviews were compiled in 2019. Special focus was on the professional growth in the content of life story. The study revealed both – randomness entry into YW, but various supporting external aspects (active school life, supportive community, camps). However, the most important were the personal factors - motivation, consistency, entrepreneurship, courage, YW studies, participation in (foreign) projects, mission. Professional knowledge and skills supported mostly the development from a novice specialist into an advanced employee and expert. Commitment, autonomy were the main work-load impact factors. The desire to work with young people has brought some retired youth workers back to YW. Horizontal career was limited but usual. 

scholarly journals FORMATION OF YOUTH WORKER PROFESSIONALISM: PROBLEMS IN ESTONIA

2015 ◽  
Vol 68 (1) ◽  
pp. 84-96
Author(s):  
Maarika Veigel
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Professional Growth ◽  
Formal Education ◽  
National Curriculum ◽  
High Mobility ◽  
Professional Staff ◽  
Development Model ◽  
Youth Work ◽  
Youth Workers ◽  
Youth Worker

Youth field has been in constant evolution during the restoration period of Estonian independence, since 1991. The theoretical overview is about youth worker professionalism, associated with the developments in the European and Estonian youth field and in the context of the Berliner competency levels development model. It explains the expectations set for youth workers, to teaching and youth field institutions. Youth work is expected, like formal education, with more clearly defined educational goals, and it is emphasized that it is a non-formal education. An important aspect is enjoying of the activities and its educational elements. The National Curriculum for Basic Schools and Gymnasium (2011) sets the expectations that the non-formal education will give more support to students to complete the curriculum of formal education. Youth work in Estonia is an essential component of the educational system. Therefore, the professionalism of youth workers and their coping with new challenges is very important. Over the last ten years, major changes in the Estonian youth worker professionalism and in the aspects of professional development haven’t been mentioned. The answers are briefly: in Estonia youth worker profession has been associated with the development of youth field, but the staff preparation is very different and characterised by low working experience. Berliner presented development model of competency levels, treats the professional development as long-term, complex process, distinguishing between the five stages of development of the professional staff, which are also regarded in the context of the professional development of the youth worker. Youth work quality is dependent on the availability of professional youth workers and in order to gain it, the high mobility inside the sector should be reduced, a better situation and more support should be created for the formation of youth worker professionalism at the various levels of the professional growth. Key words: competency, professional level, professionalism, youth work, youth worker.

scholarly journals ORGANIZATIONAL FACTOR AS BASIC ELEMENTS OF THE ESTONIAN YOUTH WORKERS´ PROFESSIONAL GROWTH

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. 302
Author(s):  
Maarika Veigel
Keyword(s):  
Professional Growth ◽  
Professional Training ◽  
Formal Education ◽  
Personal Characteristics ◽  
Organizational Factors ◽  
Youth Work ◽  
Youth Workers ◽  
Youth Worker ◽  
High Satisfaction

The issue of the Estonian youth workers´ professionality has been relevant for many years. Organizational factors are important in the youth worker´s professional growth. Youth worker is a promoter of non-formal education. Research explained the issues related to the youth workers professional growth, including organizational factors. The theoretical framework of the research created Ruohotie, Tamm concepts of professional growth and Hackman, Oldham job satisfaction characteristics. The purpose of this research was brought to the light youth work specialists´ opinions about the organizational factors of the professional growth. For qualitative data collection semi-structed interviews were conducted with 35 Estonian youth work specialists in 2016-2018. The results showed that in eight key-topics important opinions were received. Most attention should be given further to the beginner youth workers´ support for efficient and faster adaptation with work. Mostly were explained interviewees high satisfaction with team and colleagues. Interviews revealed a different commitment to work, which depends of the employee´s professional awareness and involvement in initiatives, that could have resulted from different education, professional training or personal characteristics. The quality of the feedback is important for the employee's professional growth. Individualisation of the work may create a threat to versatility. For further clarification: youth workers´ professional identity. 

PERSONALITY FACTORS AS BASIC ELEMENTS OF THE ESTONIAN YOUTH WORKERS´PROFESSIONAL GROWTH

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. 292
Author(s):  
Maarika Veigel
Keyword(s):  
Professional Growth ◽  
Professional Training ◽  
Formal Education ◽  
Personality Factors ◽  
Youth Work ◽  
Youth Workers ◽  
Personal Factors ◽  
High Expectations ◽  
Youth Centers ◽  
Key Topics

The article dealt with one aspect of the professional growth basic elements. The issue of the Estonian Youth Centers youth workers´ professionality has been relevant for many years, as employees often exchange. Expectations for youth work as a promotion of non-formal education are high. There is no research that explained the issues related to the youth workers professional growth, including personal factors. The theoretical framework of the research created Ruohotie, Tamm, Clarke and Hollingsworth concepts of professional growth. The purpose of this research was brought to the light youth work specialists´ opinions about the personal factors of the professional growth. For qualitative data collection semi-structed interviews were conducted with 35 Estonian youth work specialists in 2016-2018. The results showed that in eight key-topics important opinions were received. Most attention should be given further to the youth workers´ internal motivation, treatment and professional identity. Mostly were explained the high expectations to the youth work generally. Interviews revealed a different commitment to everyday work, that could have resulted from their different education and professional training or attitudes towards education. The needs for further clarification are: occupational and organizational elements of youth workers professional growth. 

A Comparative Study of the State of Ethics in Youth Work Practice in Jamaica, Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Cleopatra Monique Parkins
Keyword(s):  
United Kingdom ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Code Of Ethics ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Youth Work ◽  
Youth Workers ◽  
Ethical Practices ◽  
The United Kingdom

Even though youth work has played a critical role in fostering the holistic development of today’s youth, much controversy has surrounded the practice. Nevertheless, youth workers are slowly being accorded professional status, and a code of ethics has been developed in some jurisdictions. Some states are still to adopt this code; consequently the credibility of youth workers and the sector in general sway with the wind. This article presents a comparative analysis of ethical practices of youth work in Jamaica, Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom, examining current trends in observing ethics and addressing ethical issues. In the case of Jamaica, the researcher used the non-probability convenience sampling technique and collected primary data from a questionnaire administered to a sample of youth workers. The perspective of the ministerial arm responsible for youth work in Jamaica was also captured through an interview. In the case of Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom, the framework of the profession and specifically matters pertaining to ethical practices were examined through the use of secondary data sources, which included reports on youth work practices in the selected countries. A mixed methodology was employed in analysing the data collected. The major findings of this study confirmed that advancing youth work as a profession is dependent on the acceptance and integration of a formal code of ethics, that youth workers must receive training on ethics and that a national youth work policy is important to guide youth work practice. In accordance with the findings, the researcher makes a number of recommendations and highlights notable best practices that may help with the overall professionalisation of the sector.

Exploring emancipatory youth work

2006 ◽  
Vol 49 (4) ◽  
pp. 471-481 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven Ngai Sek Yum
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
Youth Work ◽  
Youth Workers

English The present study explores the possibility of emancipatory youth work from a Foucauldian perspective focusing on practitioners' potential as a force for change. Based on narratives generated from interviews with outreach youth workers in Hong Kong, the study shows how workers have invented their own style of liberating practice. The implications of the findings are discussed. French La présente étude explore les possibilités du travail d'émancipation auprès des jeunes selon une perspective foucaldienne focalisant sur le potentiel des praticiens comme moteur de changement. En se basant sur les récits obtenus à la suite d'entrevues avec des travailleurs de proximité auprès des jeunes à Hong Kong, l'étude montre comment ces travailleurs ont créé leur propre style de libération de la pratique. Les résultats de la recherche sont analysés. Spanish Se explora la posibilidad de trabajo emancipatorio con jóvenes desde una perspectiva foucauldiana, enfocándose en el potencial del trabajador social como una fuerza de cambio. Partiendo de narrativas generadas en entrevistas con trabajadores con jóvenes en el Hong Kong, el estudio muestra como estos trabajadores han inventado su propio estilo de práctica liberadora. Se exponen las implicaciones de los resultados.

scholarly journals Intersectoral Action to Enhance the Social Inclusion of Socially Vulnerable Youth through Sport: An Exploration of the Elements of Successful Partnerships between Youth Work Organisations and Local Sports Clubs

2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 98-107 ◽  
Author(s):  
Niels Hermens ◽  
Sabina Super ◽  
Kirsten Verkooijen ◽  
Maria Koelen
Keyword(s):  
Social Inclusion ◽  
Self Regulation ◽  
Youth Work ◽  
Youth Workers ◽  
Intersectoral Action ◽  
Vulnerable Youth ◽  
Sports Clubs ◽  
The Social ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Sports Activities

Research shows that participation in sport is positively related to self-esteem, self-regulation skills, and social inclusion. As socially vulnerable youngsters participate less frequently in sports activities than their average peers, youth work organisations try to guide their clients (i.e., socially vulnerable youngsters) to local sports clubs and inclusive sports activities. Inclusive sports activities, however, cannot be provided by youth work organisations alone. Therefore, in the Netherlands, intersectoral action involving both youth work organisations and local sports clubs has emerged. Because youth workers and stakeholders in local sports clubs are not used to collaborating with each other, we explored the factors that contribute to the quality and performance of such intersectoral actions. On the basis of five open interviews with youth workers and three focus groups with stakeholders in local sports clubs, we described factors relating to the organisation of intersectoral action among youth workers and local sports clubs that are preconditions for the success of this specific type of intersectoral action.

scholarly journals Making the Best Better: 4-H Staffing Patterns and Trends in the Largest Professional Network in the Nation

2007 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 25-Jun
Author(s):  
Kirk A. Astroth
Keyword(s):  
Baseline Data ◽  
Academic Training ◽  
Youth Work ◽  
Youth Workers ◽  
Academic Degree ◽  
Program Delivery ◽  
Professional Network ◽  
Future Challenges ◽  
Staffing Patterns ◽  
State Extension

The results from the National 4-H Headquarters’ survey of the 4-H workforce provides baseline data about 4-H staffing, structures in which 4-H professionals work, and salaries ranges as reported by state Extension 4-H directors. All 50 states responded to the survey and results are reported in eight areas: 1. profile of respondents; 2. current 4-H staffing structures; 3. staffing trends and changes since 1990; 4. academic degree requirements; 5. compensation levels; 6. academic and other preparation; 7. ideal staffing models; and 8. current and future challenges. The survey revealed that academic training of 4-H professionals and compensation for 4-H youth workers was higher compared to their counterparts in youth work elsewhere. While funding for 4-H positions has remained stable, there has been an increase in the use of para-professionals for program delivery.

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