Primary aim was to enhance the quality and impact of youth work training by supporting trainers in their physical and mental well-being, motivation, and job satisfaction. OBJECTIVES - To explore all the aspects of a trainers life that contribute to their work as a trainer linking into the existing policies, practices and competence frameworks - such as LifeComp, ETS, Competence Model for Trainers at the International level... - To identify individual and common needs in the trainer community in order to develop 3 forms of responses as a means of support and self-help for trainers - To identify and share trainer hacks and practices, support processes, core pieces of information that respond to the identified needs in the form of a Trainer Hacks page on the Guild website - To collate expert advice and opinion about physical wellbeing, mental and emotional wellbeing, legal matters, and advice from the travel industry, the results of which would be turned into a series of digital resources - To monitor ongoing developments throughout the period of the project among trainers in order to support individuals and the trainer community as a whole
In recent years, the European Training Strategy (ETS) has made significant strides in recognizing and supporting trainers working at the international level. The introduction of the Competence Model for Trainers Working Internationally in 2014, followed by the creation of the International Youth Work Trainers Guild, marked key advances in this area. However, despite these efforts, there are still too few experienced trainers in the youth sector, with many leaving due to low quality of life, unstable working conditions, or to seek better financial opportunities elsewhere. The COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbated these issues, as a survey in 2020 revealed that 23% of trainers were considering leaving the sector due to mental and physical health challenges. Trainers need holistic support beyond skill development—addressing physical, mental, and professional well-being. This project aims to address these needs by providing broader support systems and resources around 4 key areas: Physical and Mental Wellbeing, Life on the Road, Legal Matters, Self Management to improve the quality of life and sustainability of trainers in the youth sector.