Evaluation and Lessons Learned from Professionalising Youth Work Micro-credentials in Fiji and the Bahamas: A Comparative Analysis

Abstract

PCF10 Sub-theme: Inspiring Innovations [PRESENTATION] // Since 2019, the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) has worked with partners to develop micro-credentials aimed at professionalising youth workers, or aspiring youth workers. Youth workers are individuals on the front lines who engage directly with youth, mainly through government, non-government and civil society organisations. // COL, with research and capacity-building support from Lakehead University in Canada, developed two online, facilitated micro-credentials, each comprised of six courses; in the Pacific in 2020-21 and then in the Bahamas in 2021. In the Pacific, course delivery was facilitated by the Pacific Centre for Flexible and Open Learning for Development, located at the University of the South Pacific. In the Caribbean, course delivery was facilitated by the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute. Data collected in the Pacific initiative included participation data from 2,503 registered learners, and pre- and post-course experience surveys. Data collected in the Bahamas, which is at an earlier stage of implementation, included data from 6 interview and focus groups of ministry and post-secondary education professionals. // In this workshop we will focus on two halves. In the first half, we will offer a description of each project including youth issues, selection of stakeholders, and contextualisation. In the second half, we will engage participants to reflect on the first half presentation and then be organized into small groups to engage in varying activities that will also be informed by their own experiences in multi stakeholder projects. The workshop will close with an open discussion in plenary. // The outcomes of the workshop are to: Advance understanding on mechanisms that may enable fruitful engagement across international and cultural boundaries; the centrality and value of co-development in such activities; and problematizing international partnerships in the context of project management and participatory action research with a view to forming some generalizations to the benefit of all attendees. // Paper ID 8625