Published at 11:31, Monday, 08 February 2010

CUMBRIA County Council is advertising 12 new apprenticeship places for young Cumbrians who may be considering a career in youth work in the county.

The new Youth Work Apprenticeship programme was launched last week, and is being delivered by Carlisle-based RWP Training Ltd in partnership with Cumbria County Council Pathways to Employment, Cumbria Youth Support Services and Cumbria Youth Alliance.

The apprenticeship is open to young people aged from 16 to 24, based anywhere in Cumbria, and runs for 12 to 15 months.

The posts are fully funded by Cumbria County Council for the first 12 months, and although the young person may be working within a youth organisation, they are county council employees for that time.

The young people will get the chance to complete National Vocational Qualifications (NVQ) Level 2 with an opportunity to undertake NVQ Level 3 and a range of Key Skills qualifications and, in most cases, a City and Guilds certificate.

It is hoped this could create a career path to university and a youth work degree. All apprentices will earn a minimum of £95 per week.

Alan Culley, chair of the Youth Work Apprenticeship partnership steering group, said: “This is the first time that home-grown talent in the county has been given the opportunity to take direct steps towards university and ultimately a career in youth work here in Cumbria through being actively involved in local youth work from the outset.”

Any young person interested in an apprenticeship should contact RWP Training on 01228 593446, visit www.rwp.co.uk for more information or to register online or contact the Connexions office.

Published by http://www.whitehaven-news.co.uk