Case study Neil Burke – Youth Worker
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Many people become a learning professional through trial and error. Neil found his field by chance, but since then has never looked back. Education to employment Neil was undecided about what to do after completing his A-Levels. He thought that by going to university, and completing a Degree in International Business Studies, it would open various doors for him to choose a career path. After a few months Neil realised that the course he’d selected wasn’t for him, so he quickly changed his degree over to Sports Science – he was sure he was on to a winner here as he had always been a keen sportsman. Unfortunately the course turned out to be different to what he’d anticipated. It was at this time he faced the reality of having spiralling costs and bills needing to be paid so he decided to get a full time job.
He was offered a job, through friends, that involved working with young children aged 8-14 years as a playworker for Gateshead Council. This was the turning point for Neil “My role as a playworker made me realise the enjoyment I could get from working with young people. I thrived on working through activities with them – it gave me a great feeling of personal satisfaction.”
Finding his field
More for Neil, more his learners
Neil found after a few years that although the role as play-worker was great fun, the job only facilitated a one way conversation – he would tell the children what to do, and they would do it.
Neil gets a great sense of satisfaction from working face to face with young people and seeing the excitement they get from turning their ideas into reality,
He decided to look into working with older people in a similar role, but this time one where he could work together with people and develop longer term relationships. He completed his NVQ in Youth and Community Work and then got the job of Youth Worker for the Regional Youth Work Unit in Gateshead. “I went into youth work as I felt young people have a lot to offer but sometimes they aren’t given the opportunities to show this. I wanted to make a difference by getting involved in this field of work and helping young people develop their own initiatives.” The role he now holds involves a multitude of tasks, but primarily he is involved with coordinating groups of 14-19 year olds, who come together on a regular basis to discuss their issues with education. He then supports them to develop these issues into projects, which ultimately play a part in what decisions are being made around the future of young people’s education.
“It is extremely rewarding to know that I am helping get young people’s voices heard and incorporating them into the decision making process about issues which affect them.” He says the biggest challenge within his role is getting people to take part, and then getting the support from the local authority, which can be even more difficult, “The only thing to do is face these obstacles head on because the results are well worth the effort.” His advice to anyone considering a career as a Youth Worker –
“Make sure your heart is in it. You have to be committed to the work and really want to make a difference for the benefit of other people.”
“I went into youth work as I felt young people have a lot to offer but sometimes they aren’t given the opportunities to show this. I wanted to make a difference by getting involved in this field of work and helping young people develop their own initiatives.”
The information provided in this case study is not prescriptive or indicative of how to become a learning professional. For details on how to become a learning professional, please see the factsheet found on our website below. RW04/10/CS039
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Information and Advice Service
Email: advice@lluk.org www.lluk.org/ias This information is available in alternative formats from Lifelong Learning UK
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