FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Careers in the Youth Service
Are you passionate about working with young people and making a positive difference in your community? The Youth Service offers a range of rewarding opportunities - from volunteering, part-time support roles to fully qualified careers in youth and community work.
How Do I Get a Job with the Youth Service?
The Youth Service currently has a full complement of 8 qualified full-time Youth & Community Workers, supported by approximately 30 part-time Youth Support Workers.
Please note: All recruitment (excluding volunteer roles) is carried out by the Department of Personnel and Development. Visit their website or follow official Government recruitment channels for updates.
How Do I Become a Qualified Youth & Community Worker?
If you’re interested in studying youth work, it is essential to choose a course that is professionally validated and JNC-recognised (Joint Negotiating Committee). These courses provide you with professional youth worker status.
JNC recognition ensures the course meets current industry standards and includes appropriate work placement.
Note: You cannot change the status of your degree after completion, so ensure your chosen course is JNC-recognised before enrolling. If in doubt, contact us for guidance.
An up-to-date list of recognised courses is available at:
Routes to Professional Qualification:
• Degree (BA Hons - Level 6)
• Graduate Certificate
• Postgraduate Diploma / Master’s Degree (MA - Level 7)
If you are considering gaining a professional qualification, please get in touch with the Youth Service for further advice and support.
Pay Scale
As a fully qualified JNC Youth & Community Worker, your salary will fall within the following 8-point scale:
• £25,225
• £26,367
• £29,604
• £32,193
• £34,865
• £38,088
• £41,106
• £42,451
Career Progression: Senior and Principal Youth Worker posts may be available after a minimum of 5 years’ experience, subject to vacancies.
Working Hours:
• Full-time: 37 hours per week, including evening and weekend work
• Duties include running youth clubs, coordinating events and activities, delivering workshops, and organising residential trips
Annual Leave
• 30 days per year, rising to 35 days after 5 years of service
Youth Support Workers & Trainee Youth Support Workers (Part-Time – As and When Required)
Youth Support Worker- Qualifications Required
• A Level 2 or 3 qualification/ Diploma in Youth Work, or locally delivered & recognised course ‘ Understanding Youth Work Skills’.
• Trainees will complete the local certificate while working on the job ‘Introduction to Understanding Youth Work Skills’ course.
Essential Skills
To be a Youth Support Worker, you’ll need to demonstrate:
• A strong commitment to young people and an understanding of the factors affecting their lives
• The ability to offer reliable support and act with integrity during challenging situations
• Good interpersonal skills and the ability to build positive, professional relationships
• Sensitivity, respect, and confidentiality — while maintaining appropriate boundaries in the youth worker/young person relationship
Pay & Hours
• Trainees begin on £8.90 per hour
• Upon completion of local, endorsed training, Youth Support Workers progress to £11.59 per hour
• Part-time work, as and when required, usually between 3–15 hours per week
Typical Hours: Weekday evenings (4.00pm–8.30pm)
Opportunities are also available for weekend work, both daytime and evening, as well as overnight stays
A select number of staff may also support weekday daytime projects in schools and lunchtime sessions
What Kind of Work is Delivered at Youth Clubs?
• Project work and issue-based workshops
• Sports and physical activity
• Informal education and debates
• Fundraising initiatives and community-based work
What Ages Do We Work With?
The Youth Service works with children and young people aged 7–10, 11–15, 16-25 across Gibraltar’s four youth clubs.
Progression & Opportunities
Can I apply for other Government jobs?
Yes. After 52 weeks of continuous work with the Youth Service, you become eligible to apply for internal Government vacancies.
Can I progress to a full-time Youth Worker role as a Youth Support Worker?
You must first obtain a JNC-recognised professional qualification level 6 and above (degree or masters level) and apply to a vacancy to be eligible to apply for full-time Youth Worker posts.
Volunteering with the Youth Service
Volunteering is a fantastic way to get involved, gain experience, and take the first steps towards a career in youth work.
How to Apply:
1. email Senior Youth Worker charlene.figueras@gibraltar.gov.gi
2. Provide two references
3. Complete a police vetting form
4. If you’ve lived outside Gibraltar, you’ll need to obtain police clearance from the relevant countries for the past 10 years
5. Attend an interview with Youth Service staff