RSS Press releases

Eight full time Trainee Youth Workers have been appointed within Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Youth Services in a collaborative project with the Council’s Employability and Skills Service as part of the UK Government’s Kickstart Scheme, supported by our local partners in DWP- Department of Work and Pensions

Focussing in areas where there is high youth unemployment, the 8 Trainees will work alongside an experienced team of youth workers to support the delivery of local Youth Work services based in Stranraer, Newton Stewart, Dalbeattie, Castle Douglas, Dumfries, Sanquhar, Lockerbie and Annan.

In addition to developing hands on skills and experience, the trainee’s will be supported by a designated Employability Key Worker with a Youth Work background to complete Nationally recognised qualifications including, SQA Workplace Skills Award and the SQA Personal Developments Award in Youth Work which is now a minimum requirement for Youth Workers in our Council’s Youth Work Service.  There will also be an extensive programme of internally and externally delivered industry specific training including First Aid, Food Hygiene, Sexual Health, Child Protection, LGBTQ Awareness and much more. Where appropriate this will be delivered alongside other young people in Kickstart posts as part of a regional approach to training, in partnership with Dumfries and Galloway College.

At the end of their placements, the trainee’s will have an extensive portfolio and valuable experience which will place them in a very strong position in future Youth Work sector job markets or meet entry level to engage in further education.

Kickstart work placements are happening in a range of sectors right across the UK.  The Kickstart trainees employed by Dumfries and Galloway Councils Youth Work department have reached a landmark figure and have created the 2000’th placement in Scotland.

Economy & Resources Committee Chair Rob Davidson said: “The UK Government’s Kickstart programme is a scheme to get young people into employment.  It is great that our Employability & Skills and Youth Work Services have been able to create these positions in areas of high youth unemployment across the region.

Both departments have a proven track record of supporting young people into positive destinations and this partnership will ensure the trainees will be in a strong position to secure a job or to further their education “

Vice-Chair Archie Dryburgh said: “We look forward to following their progress and wish them all the best in what is hoped to be the start of a very promising career in Youth Work or their chosen path.”

Communities Committee Chair Andy Ferguson said:” It is fantastic that as a Local Authority and an employer for the Kickstart scheme we have many placement opportunities for young people across the region and across a range of services.

As a council we strive to improve the level of skills within our communities and work force. To ensure that this council priority is met, we are committed to give these trainees the best experience possible and have a designated member of staff to support them through their training and development.

Vice-Chair John Martin went on to say: “How fitting that the first 8 young people to be employed are with our Youth Work Service, who have collaborated with our Employability and Skills department to make this possible. We wish them the best of luck in their placement and for their future careers.”


Kickstart Youth Work Trainee Amy said “I am really grateful for this amazing opportunity to become a youth worker, through the Kickstart Scheme. This job is gonna bring so many new opportunities to me and I can’t wait to meet new people and getting to work with different age groups! I am so happy to be starting my dream job. I can’t wait to start!”

 Murron, our Trainee in Sanquhar added “I don't have any previous experience in youth work, but I do have previous experience in the care sector. To have been given this opportunity to train as a youth worker will enable me to gain new skills as well as build on those that I have from working in the care sector.  I can’t wait to work with the young people in my own community and surrounding area during activities and providing support to other young people”. 

Samantha went on to say “My experience with unemployment was due to covid and it was very unpleasant as I love working. The Kickstart scheme has been a success for me as I now have a job and it’s the kind of job I have always wanted.

It means a lot to me to finally be able to work somewhere I feel like I’ll fit right in -especially working alongside the same people who helped me as teenager, who I have so much respect for, and I know I will learn a lot from”

Alicia added “Living in Stranraer where there a very little job opportunities or availability, successfully gaining the vacancy of a Youth Worker was like winning the lottery. I could not have found a more perfect job for myself. The amount of training opportunities will keep me busy for a while. All the staff and new trainees I have met so far are wonderful and can’t wait to work with them. I look forward to seeing how my life will benefit from being in this position”

You can find out more about the Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Youth Work Service at https://youthwork.dumgal.gov.uk, or contact youth.work@dumgal.gov.uk

 And to find out more about The Employability and Skills Service at https://www.dgtap.co.uk, or contact ESSAdmin@dumgal.gov.uk