Educating & Qualifying Youth Workers in Korea

8/14/2019 Educating & Qualifying Youth Workers in Korea

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Educating & Qualifying Youth

Workers in Korea

Park, Young-Kyoon

National Youth Policy Institute


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Introducing the System The system of educating and qualifying

Accredited Youth Workers was officiallyinitiated along with the legislation ofYouth

Basic Law in 1992 The purpose of the system is to raise

quality youth workers on the nationallevel, to address diverse problems ofchildren and youth in this rapidly changing

society Certificates are issued to those who pass

the written test, interview, and finishedtraining courses successfully


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Summary of Development 1988. Seoul Olympics held 1991. Established Korea Youth Basic Plan

1992. Youth Basic Law (YBL) enacted 1993. Started educating and certifying

Accredited Youth Worker (AYW) 1999. Revised YBL and new system of

cultivating AYW introduced


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The Current System Qualifying exam and training are carried out once a

year upon consignment of the Minister of Health,Welfare, and Family Affairs

The national certificate of youth worker is officiallycertified by the Minister AYWs are teaching and leading the children and

youth in the fields of youth activity, youth welfare,and youth protection programs

Programs are being developed nationally andprovided to the facilities and activity fields


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Youth Worker Definition

Accredited Youth Worker is the one whopassed the qualifying exam and finished thetraining courses successfully at adesignated institute (Article 21)

Role Work for youth activity, for welfare, or

protection of youth from harm at a youthtraining facility or youth organization


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Certificates and Tests Types of Certificates

Three classes (1st , 2nd , 3rd) of nationalcertificates according to the Youth Basic Law

(Clause 4 of Article 21)

1st Grade Certificate Methodology of youth research, Youth right

and participation, Youth policy, Administrationof youth organization, Theory on youth leader


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Written Test Subjects 2nd Grade Certificate

Youth fostering system, Coachingmethodology for youth, Psychology of youth

and counseling, Youth culture, Youth activity,Youth welfare, Program development andevaluation, Youth problems and protection

3rd Grade Certificate Youth fostering system, Coaching

methodology for youth, Psychology of youthand counseling, Youth culture, Youth activity,Program development and evaluation, Youthproblems and protection


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Interview Interviews are executed to the

applicants applying for the 1st and

2nd

grade certificates only Interviews are focused on theapplicants value, attitude,etiquette, diligence, creativity,

communication skills, knowledgeon young people, and will power,etc., as a promising youth worker


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Qualification for

Application Minimum qualification to apply for the exam

are different according to the applying grade

1st

grade certificate: 3 yrs of work experience inappropriate field with the 2nd grade certificate

2nd grade certificate: Finished every course definedby the law as his/her major subjects at a 4-yr collegeor university

3rd grade certificate: Finished every course definedby the law as his/her major subjects at a 2-yr college


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Statistical FiguresThe number of current youth workers

is 17,553 (Ministry of Health, Welfare,

and Family Affairs, 2008)

1st grade certificate holder: 1,293

2nd grade certificate holder: 10,342 3rd grade certificate holder: 5,918


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Problems of Current

System Written Test

No adequate consideration on AYWs role

and job tasks needed in the fieldTest subjects are not fully standardized Problems of standardization,

appropriateness, and other way of

implementation, result in objectivity anddiscrimination in deciding successfulcandidates


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Problems of Current

System Interview

Rough and not-well organized Vague and obscure questionsTime shortage results inceremonious procedure

Difficult selecting well-preparedapplicants


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Problems of Current

SystemTraining Courses

Completing the training is obligatory

for every successful candidates,however,Training courses last only four (4)

working days

Considering the importance ofAYWs duty or role, the period oftraining is too short


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Improving Current System Set up Qualification Framework

(QF) for certifying system Develop National Skills

Standard (NSS)

Establish systematicmanagement procedures forAYWs


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Improving Current System Reduce the number of exam

subjects to attest basic quality andability of applicants

Expand training period to secureprofessional excellence ofAccredited Youth Workers

Reinforce stationing standard ofAYWs to public facilities andinstitutions for children and youth


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ConclusionThe system of educating and

training AYWs in Korea is unique

and well developed However, constant efforts

needed to improve the related

provision and national system onAYW


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Thank You!

Documents

Educating & Qualifying Youth Workers in Korea