Developing skills for trainers and youth workers

Introduction

The Internship Program is designed for youth workers and future trainers who would like to gain knowledge and skils in Desiging and runing training sesions. The Program offers individuals the opportunity to learn through their work experience at Life Youth Foundation and ACT Association where they will engage in a variety of projects and daily tasks. Interns can develop insight into how the local organizations attempts to find solutions to the problems facing, through the hands-on experience and knowledge gained during their internship assignment.

This program addresses the concern of the complementary character of formal, non-formal and informal learning for young people. The necessary skills that people need today to enable them to become informed, active and responsible citizens can be acquired through learning in all settings and contexts. What we learn in formal settings (schools, colleges, training sites) is only one part of needed skills; learning through civil society as well as leisure time activities or in social environments, i.e. in non-formal settings (associations, clubs, youth activities, political and family life etc) is the other complementary side.

The Internship Program is a 6-12 month development program that will take place from 2005 to 2007. The number of interns will be beteen 3-6 each year.

The general objective of the program is to support the training and professional development of the young workers and trainers in the field of youth learning activities.

The internship is designed to give the interns an opportunity to use their knowledge and skills in an actual work situation. It also allows them to investigate career opportunities and learn about their interests and abilities. The internship is meant to incorporate a comprehensive approach to problem solving in nonprofit management/leadership and designing and running Youth Activities.

Objectives

To develop the skills, experience and knowledge of youth workers and trainers through active participation as a member of the Life Youth Foundation staffs and volunteers team, and exposure to a broad range of programs and activities.
To provide training which prepares youth workers and trainers for leadership roles upon return to their own associations and regions.
Provide an opportunity for individuals to participate in a program of study in the practice the non-formal education.
To widen the scope of the organizers programs and activities through active involvement of the target group.

Information on the internship program

Short Presentation

The Life Youth Foundation and ACT Association is currently seeking an ambitious persons for an internship. The interns' work must be relevant to youth sector in Romania and Europe and will be carried out in concert with ongoing organizational projects.

During the internship, a tutor from the organization staff assists interns. They have access to Life Foundation resources - such as the library, an Internet connection and e-mail. Interns will attend to training courses that explains different topics related with the youth activities. Interns will develop a project/research schedule together with their assigned tutor.

Development of the project/research

In order to make sure the internship is effective, Life Youth Foundation, ACT Association and the intern will agree upon the subject of the project/research before the work begins. The internship will be designed to benefit both the hosting organization and the sending organization.

Some of the organization programs and activities to which the intern can contribute are:

Information services (Assist with Web page creation and Library and Information Services.)
Organizing training activities (on-site and on-line)
Editing bulletins and other publications;
Organizing conferences and seminars;
Local activities for young people.

Some of the topic that the inten might choose for the project are:

Organizational Management (any areea)
Human Rights
Intercultural Education
Conflict Management

The organizers will provide a working place, equipment, training and informational materials.

Training Program

The interns will go through ten days of intensive training on the various aspects of civil society and will learn skills that are needed to be successful in a professional environment. The modules will not only incorporate conceptual knowledge but will also include activities that facilitate application of the learned skills. Broadly the program will cover the following areas:

Fundamentals of Nonprofit Management

Management practices in a development organization are very similar yet very different from those in a for-profit organization. Sessions on the various aspects of management are also designed to give the learners a closer look at which functional area they might have more interest in. Some areas to be covered are Project Management, Human Resource Management and Financial Management.

Instructional Design and Learning Activities

Possibly the one most important ability required to succeed in the internship knows how to design and implement training and youth activities. We will ensures that participants are given a well-rounded experience of both types of activities training and youth activities. Some areas to be covered are: experiential learning, all necessary elements in designing learning activities, skills needed to implement learning activities.

Eligibility

Citizen of any of the European Union countries.
At a start-point in professional career path with a strong interest in youth learning.
Age 18- 25 years old
Be an active youth worker and/or trainer in a youth organization
A completed application

Duration

The Youth Internship Program is a 6 to 12-month program with the specific aim to develop the skills of the youth workers and/or trainers to implement better learning activities. The entire program is intended to run from 2005 to 2007. The number of interns is intended to increase each consecutive year. In 2005 will be accepted a maximum of 6 interns.

Completion of the internship

At the end of their internships, interns will prepare a report and present the outcome of their work, and tutors will evaluate the work of interns within the project.

Costs and Provisions

The organizers will cover costs related with accommodation, meals, pocket money. Costs of transport must be covered by the organization that is sending the intern. Also interns must cover their own medical expenses that might occur during this period. The interns will not be paid to fulfill this internship, they will do voluntary work.

Criteria for Selection

Successful candidates must demonstrate strong interest and enthusiasm in fulfilling the Purpose and program.
An ability to be flexible, a desire to learn, and the capacity to function with multiple priorities will be needed.
How the applicant relates his/her present experience and interests to the work as an intern in the programme and how she/he will make use of the program upon her return.
A strong commitment to development and leadership in civil society is required.
A good working knowledge of English, both oral and written is essential but not eliminating criteria.
Basic word-processing and Internet surfing skills are appreciated.
Applicants must be between 18 and 25 years of age and be in good health.
A willingness to be independent works hard, be flexible, creative and take initiative.
Apply befor 25 of March 2005 hour 18.00 CET

Application procedure

The following information should be submitted to Life Foundation:

1. Letter of application in English, containing a statement of purpose that explains your interest in the Youth Internship Program (not more than 1.000 words). Be sure to answer the following questions:

Why are you interested in this internship?
What do you think the nonprofit sector can offer you?
What is the activity you would like to be involved in?
What time period do you have available for the internship?
What are your learning objectives for the period of the internship?
How will you use all that you have learned back home?

2. You should also send your curriculum vitae (CV), in English, containing:

Family name and given names;
Full mailing address;
Telephone number;
Fax and e-mail;
Citizenship;
Education and field of specialization;
Knowledge of foreign languages; and
Work experience and other relevant experience.

3. A proposed work/study plan (up to one page) for your attachment.

4. Proof of citizenship (copy on any document pasport, ID, etc)

5. A letter of confirmation from the interns that he/she is willing to take part for the whole process

Send your application to:

Life Youth Foundation

Str. Cuza Voda nr 17

410101 Oradea

Romania

Tel. 0040259414156

Fax 0040259427973

Send us an e-mail at office@life.org.ro