Occupation
Youth worker
Youth workers run programmes and build working relationships with young people, usually in centres, schools, shelters, or on the street. The job is part activity leader and part informal counsellor: keeping a group engaged while noticing who is struggling and connecting them to help. Evenings, weekends, and unpredictable behaviour are normal parts of the role.
Also known as: Youth support worker · Youth development worker · Child and youth care worker · Youth programme leader
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Occupation content
Part of Community, social and public services
A visual day in the work
What the work involves
Plan and run group activities, drop-in sessions, and outings for young people
Build trust with individuals and talk through school, family, housing, or health problems
Refer young people to counselling, health, education, or housing services and follow up
Set and hold boundaries, de-escalate conflict, and manage incidents in the space
Keep attendance records, session notes, and safeguarding reports up to date
Work alongside schools, families, police, and community agencies on shared concerns
Entry-route stepper
How people commonly enter
A college diploma or certificate in youth work, child and youth care, or community services
A degree in youth work, social work, or a related human services subject for lead or specialist posts
Moving from volunteering, coaching, or programme assistant work into a paid role while completing a qualification
Employer-provided training in safeguarding, first aid, and behaviour support, together with a background check where required
Typical training: Certificate or college diploma
Licensing: Certification common, not usually required
Work-context map
Typical work context
- Team based
- Public facing
- Varied work
- Physically active
- Shift work
Team based · Public facing · Varied work · Physically active · Shift work
Related interests
- Social (helping)
- Enterprising (leading)
- Artistic (creative)
Social (helping) · Enterprising (leading) · Artistic (creative)
Related aptitude preparation
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Skills to practise
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Related learning
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Official sources
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Labour-market context (not part of exploration match)
This is broad family-level context for Community, social and public services in Canada, not a figure for Youth worker. It does not affect matching scores and is not an eligibility determination.
This is a broad Community, social and public services family. Explore the official profile for the chosen occupation; entry education and training can differ within the family.
Canada Job Bank Career Planning · Canada · Current official profile; consult source for its release period
Community, social and public services: education pathways
Some roles in Community, social and public services may be regulated. Confirm whether the specific role requires registration, certification, or a jurisdiction-specific licence.
Canada Job Bank Career Planning · Canada · Current official profile; consult source for its release period
Community, social and public services: licensing
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