Training

What is the YMCA's Training Department trying to achieve?

An important part of the Training Department's brief is to provide in-service training opportunities to YMCA staff and volunteers throughout the movement. As part of this, the Continuous Professional Development programme for practitioners supports them to continually develop and enhance their skills base by providing relevant high quality training. This is achieved through liaising regularly with practitioners, evaluation of each training delivered and an annual review and evaluation which informs and directs the next year’s training programme. An important part of this programme is the opportunity provided for practitioners to meet together and network. We also deliver a range of training accredited by OCNNI which includes the Youth Work Training Suite, Personal Health and Wellbeing, and Inclusion programmes.

What were some of the positive outcomes during the past year?

A number of collaborative programmes have been developed due to the relationships built through this programme, giving young people and leaders opportunities to meet young people and leaders from other local associations.

What were some of the significant changes during the past year?

Initially the programme was set up for full time youth workers. Based on feedback and discussion from local YMCA centres this has now been opened up to all practitioners, not just youth workers and they can attend whether full time, part time or volunteers. Each training programme overview clearly states who the training is aimed at, so that practitioners can choose the training which is most relevant and would be most useful to them. The format of delivery has also changed. We now have half days, full days and one overnight per year. Each Local Association takes turns to host the training so practitioners have the opportunity to visit other LAs and find out what work they are doing and to share practice.