These testimonials have been gathered from community learning and development (CLD) modern apprentices. They have been gathered as part of the Modern Apprenticeship Youth Work programme at North Ayrshire CLD.

The statements are unedited. Names have been changed.

Current modern apprentices

New skills and knowledge

“From the apprenticeship I have gained a lot of new skills and knowledge, I have learned a lot from all my training, and I have more knowledge out of this apprenticeship than I did at school. I have gained confident about speaking in front of big groups and had a lot of useful training like mental health and first aid.

"The Child Protection training opened my eyes to a lot of useful knowledge and the hardship some young people face. I have a better understanding of CLD work and it has changed my chosen career path to either social work or youth work because I have realised, I enjoy it that much.

"Before this I wanted to learn a trade, but when I seen this opportunity and thought it was something I’d like to try and it was the best decision I have made, this is so much better than a trade. The impact we have on a young person’s life is amazing and it is a good feeling knowing you have done something for someone’s life.

"Having a healthy relationship with my colleagues is good because you can talk to them like a friend and get the support you need.”

Understanding and positive relationships

“This apprenticeship has opened my eyes to youth work and all the changes we make to a young person’s life. Having finished school and disappointed with college I applied knowing nothing and came out wanting to pursue a career in youth work.

"The beginning was overwhelming but with all the support I received I was able to slowly build an understanding and a positive relationship with my co-workers. I was already a confident person before this. However, this job has greatly enhanced my confidence levels as well as some other skills.

"I have completed a plethora of training from cyber security to child protection all the way to mental health first aid. From this I have gained and developed skills and understanding which I can use to better my practice each day. Through this job I have had to opportunity to see how hard some young people’s lives have and can be. It has made me want to make that change.

"To be able to help and support as many young people as I can to build a better place for them. I want to go to university and study community learning and development so I can come back as work in the CLD team and continue to support young people the same way my line manager, assessor and other team members have supported me.”

Career opportunities

“The apprenticeship has opened a lot of potential future career opportunities as well as offering a lot of training which have been very interesting and beneficial to me. The apprenticeship has also improved my day-to-day life skills such as speaking more confidently and has improved my ability to speak in front of bigger groups. It’s also really rewarding as you get to see the positive impact you have on young people's lives. One of the best parts of my apprenticeship has been having a good relationship with my colleagues who are very supportive.”

Growing confidence

“I left school knowing I wanted to go into youth work as I went to groups as a young person and was inspired by the apprentices that supported me. They helped me with so much as a young person pushing me to try new things and grew my confidence.

"Since becoming an apprentice, myself it has helped me so much with talking to new people and in front of big crowds and my independence skill due to travelling all over North Ayrshire for youth groups and events. I have met a lot of new people that are now friends, and the staff are really supportive.

"The apprenticeship for me is very important at my age to learn about different career paths in youth work and all the skills I learned like confidence, communication, time management and punctuality.”

A young person involved in youth work

“I started in September 2022, the MA programme embodies the word "altruistic," Back in as a young person involved in youth work, I knew about the MA programme and was encouraged to go into this field of work, the youth work team made me wanted to become a youth worker and has made a big impact on my life. I am thankful to have the opportunity to do this job!”

I’m so grateful

“This apprenticeship has been an amazing experience and has really helped me develop my passion for supporting young people within the community. Having left school years ago with little qualifications and working part time jobs I applied for this apprenticeship hoping to broaden my horizons and develop my skills to be able to start a career in something I’d always wanted to do.

"The apprenticeship programme has provided me with so many different training programmes to enhance my understand and practise as a youth worker as well as training that can support future careers. It has built my confidence tremendously as I have been lucky enough to work with an amazing team of people who are always there to cheer you on and support you.

"I think the best part of the apprenticeship is you are given the freedom to find and focus your work on your interests. Due to this I’ve been able to work with a lot of mental health groups and even had the chance to lead on a mental health ambassador project allowing P7s to become ambassadors for their school. The impact youth work has on the lives of young people in the community is so important for their development.

"I’m so grateful for all the experiences this programme has given me and the team of people I’ve been lucky enough to work alongside. I truly do believe that youth work does change the lives of young people but not just the people we work with but the young people who work in the service.”

Previous modern apprentices

Youth worker studying community learning and Development (CLD) at university

“Who would of thought that 10-minute conversation could spark an interest that led me to where I am today. In 2021 I applied to be a Modern Apprentice in Youth Work for North Ayrshire Council after years of participating and volunteering at youth groups.

"We were supported to learn and develop new skills while encouraging us & helping us to complete our SVQ level 3 in youth work. I was helped with my SVQ, being patience and explaining the processes and answers in a way that helps me understand due to my dyslexia. We were always encouraged to step out our comfort zone and raise our confidence. Making sure all of us got equal opportunities and that none of us were left on our own.

"We were put first, providing guidance and advice through some of our most vital points in our qualification. Helping us gain our own learning space, encouraging us to continue our learning by applying to university, helping us with job applications and ensuring that we all had a positive destination when we finished.

"From the MAs that had already left contact with past apprentices is always there, helping them with their university applications, jobs, and general advice on matters they needed. The effort in supporting and developing youth work apprentices, giving young people the chance to find their feet, get experience and gain accredited qualifications and training that improve our future is like no other.”

Sessional youth worker

“When I first started my role as an apprentice, I was very shy, awkward, and nervous but working with the coordinator for the first two weeks of the job relieved so much stress because I was never treated like a stranger, a very welcoming environment made me feel really included straight away.

"I was helped with so much in my personal and work life, During the start of 2022 I wasn’t in a good place mentally and dealing with a lot of mental health and eating issues. So, whenever I had to talk to someone about what was happening [the CLD staff member] was always there no matter what.

"I was helped with my professional development, and it has made me a better version of myself when it comes to working with other members of staff and young people. When I worked with ASN especially, I was given tips and ideas to help me work better with ASN.”

Sessional youth worker and applying for CLD degree

I started my Modern Apprenticeship in August 2021. When I first joined the NAC, I was lacking a lot of general skills as I suffered badly from anxiety. I was never comfortable travelling alone and I was very co-dependent as I had never used public transport unless I was with someone, I was comfortable around.

"When I started my apprenticeship, I was really struggling with having to deal with certain things that I struggled with alone. I overcame these barriers with transport and most importantly it's made me the girl I am today…

"Not only did this apprenticeship help me with little things like my anxiety, but also helped me with different personal issues that I have had to face during my time of the apprenticeship and that is something I will forever be grateful for. No matter what I was going through and no matter how hard my life had got, I was never alone... ever, always having the time to listen and validate my feelings. As a team we learnt to approaches challenging situations with a positive attitude.”

Working within Care at Home

“Throughout my experience in my apprenticeship, it has made one of the biggest impacts on my personal and professional life, not only have I been pushed to be the best youth worker I can, but it brought out the best version of myself and helped me go from starting as a boy to leaving this job as a man. In my case with this apprenticeship I’ve had a lot of personal problems, relating to having really bad mental health which nearly resulted in me not being here today, dealing with loss and a lot of other incidents, the MA programme showed me that it’s alright to have bad days it’s alright to wake up and not feel like doing anything but still be pushed me to make an effort, pushed me through counselling, keep in contact with me, putting in as much support in place with the struggles I had and went above and beyond to make sure I was coping and doing alright. When I first started I had zero confidence, I couldn’t speak in front of crowds and struggled heavily with finding out about having learning difficulties, I was embarrassed all the time as I struggled to read and write, but with time and patience and a lot, and I mean a lot, of conversations and time to get through to me I can confidently say if it wasn’t for the time and patience put in to help me I would never have completed or stayed in this job.”

Youth worker studying CLD at university

“I applied for the apprenticeship in 2021 and I didn’t think I would love it as much as I did, At the start of my apprenticeship, I was getting all the opportunities that I could, and I was always involved. Halfway through my apprenticeship [the CLS staff member] managed all the apprentices to give more specific work in line with our SVQ units. All through my apprenticeship I have been helped and supported through my SVQ and anything I needed. When I was applying for university, the team were there and helping me through it, I probably wouldn’t be in university if it weren’t for the MA programme and the team believing in me and telling me I could do it. Even though I have left the MA programme I know if I was ever to need something they are always there.”

Sessional youth worker and classroom assistant working in a children’s home

“When I started my modern apprenticeship in 2021, I had no idea of the opportunities and experiences that lay ahead of me. Over the year and a half my apprenticeship it shaped me in more ways than one. I grew in confident and gained lots of experience.

"Some of the previous modern apprentices still approach the team for advice and guidance, always happy to support them with achieving their goals. Through this experience I have not only became more knowledgeable, gained a qualification and life skills I have also created bonds and relationships that will last a lifetime.”

CLD worker for North Ayrshire

“Shortly after leaving school, I began working as a Scaffolder. I knew I wanted to work within the community, but I was unsure of which routes were available to me. From attending youth groups, the staff members encouraged me to apply for a Youth Work Modern Apprenticeship to start my journey to become a full-time youth worker.

"Once vacancies became available, I applied for the role within North Ayrshire Council. Throughout my apprenticeship I was based within the Caley Youth Centre where I gained experience as well as great working relationships with staff and young people. I worked with young people with additional support needs, people in recovery, employability, LGBT & a wide range of community work.

"At the end of my Modern Apprenticeship, I was supported by NAC to apply to university for the work based CLD degree and secured a place as part of my employment in the CLD team. Part of my remit was to coordinate and deliver the Activity Agreement within the Argyle Community Centre staying within the service and allowing me to gain further experience to enhance my skills set. During this time a role became available as a Locality Worker within the service, which I applied for, and was successful.

"The role has given me experience not only in Youth Work but also working within Adult Learning and Capacity Building in more depth. As I entered the last stages of my university education, I applied for a newly created Locality Priorities Officer within my current team and was successful. This exciting new role is my first full time graduate role and will allow me to put all the skills I have learned throughout my time with the service to use, benefiting the communities I work with.

"My journey within the Connected Communities CLD team in North Ayrshire Council has given me a purpose and a career I am passionate about, something I had been searching for since school. Without these opportunities to progress throughout my CLD journey, I wouldn't have the wealth of knowledge and experience that I have today”

CLD staff and teams

North Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership

“I wanted to reach out and advise that we have had an absolute pleasure working with the MAs this week. Each and everyone of them should be proud of themselves they have conducted themselves better than we ever could have anticipated. They have been engaging, articulate, confident and fun whilst providing essential relevant feedback specific for Foxgrove. So much so we have tried to poach a couple. We would like to offer a walk round for them if they would like to see Foxgrove in its current status (also we will potentially have further interviews if any wish to be more involved.)”

CLD worker, North Ayrshire

“Can I just reiterate this, my first experience at the P7 Youth Council and thoroughly enjoyed the day. It was a pleasure to see Fraser, Bethany and Rebecca facilitate the workshops, your enthusiasm, energy, creativity, and confidence was infectious. Considering those who are new to the role, you did yourselves proud.

"Thank you for supporting the plan that was adapted on the day and bringing the energy throughout. The young people enjoyed their day which was evident in their feedback and their wee faces as they were leaving.”

Garnock Valley Locality Team for MA Youth Work

“The youth work provision within the Garnock Valley Locality has benefitted massively from the input and support given by the modern apprentices in youth work.

All the current programmes being offered have at least one apprentice supporting them, the variety of work available will hopefully support the apprentices through their qualification.

The enthusiasm and willingness to participate in group sessions as well as planning and facilitating their own sessions makes for an interesting and exciting programme of events.

The young people who attend the groups have cited the apprentices as being positive role models and have sparked an interest in many young people in heading into the field of youth work as a career.”

MA Coordinator for North Ayrshire

“Our MAs have a massive impact on the young people and communities in North Ayrshire supporting in each locality and delivering a range of important events. Their fresh ideas and enthusiasm assist the wider team in keeping abreast of the latest trends and developments affecting young people and communities.

When supporting groups we have found that young people develop relationships with our MAs quicker than with older members of the team often increasing their participation. The energy they bring to events like Joint Cabinet and Youth Conferences has been recognised by an assortment of other professionals including teaching staff, local councillors and agencies such as Police Scotland who have nothing but positive feedback regarding our Mas’ youth work skills.

Quite often the young people who apply for the position of a Youth Work apprentice have been strongly influenced or inspired by another Modern Apprentice who has supported them.”

Locality worker for North Ayrshire

Evie

“Evie has been working with our Awards group in Kilwinning. She is working hard to build relationships with the young people. Evie is good at interacting and engaging the young people to participate in different activities. Evie joins in the activities and is keen to support young people to complete their awards. This will build confidence within the young people and support their personal development. Evie will continue to get to know the young people and build a positive repour in order to support delivery and completion of different awards.”

Siobhan

“Siobhan works within our Take time Families group and our Primary 7 transition group. Within take time families Siobhan mainly works with the young people within the group. Siobhan is confident and outgoing and gets on well with all of the young people, she supports them to complete activities surrounding positive mental health and wellbeing. This in turn supports the overall aim of the group to build toolkits to support positive mental health and wellbeing for the whole family.

"The P7 transition group is a new group and very busy. Siobhan takes different groups of young people on a weekly basis to support transition from primary to secondary. Siobhan supports the young people to participate within activities that will support these outcomes. Siobhan is good at adapting to her surroundings and can complete tasks asked of her.”

Darcee

“Darcee works within our Take time Families group and our Primary 7 transition group. Darcee has worked with take time families throughout her apprenticeship and has built a great repour with both young people and their families. Darcee although works mainly with the young people has started to create and deliver activities to the parents.

"Darcee’s ability to manage stressful situations with young people’s behaviour which has helped the staff to support parents with issues they may be facing. Darcee has grown in confidence and has built wonderful relationships with the group.

"Darcee is a part of Take time families is helps to create a safe environment for all involved and this has a positive impact on both the outcomes and overall wellbeing of the group.”