A NZQF Level 5, 120 credit

Certificate in Community Youth Work (CertCYW).

Zara Maslin is on our staff as a professional teaching fellow and she has been working (VERY HARD) on developing a new programme that has just been APPROVED for a pilot delivery in CHC in 2026 and full roll out in 2027 

We asked her a few questions to get the key headlines:

Why do we want to offer CertCYW as a distinct programme?

Laidlaw has taught youth ministry within ministry and theology programmes for many years, but not explicit Youth Work before. The profession of Youth Work brings its own ethical framework, professional standards and accountability requirements (comparable to teaching and counselling). The CertCYW acknowledges youth work as a distinct profession, rather than a subset of ministry. The beauty of this qualification is that it equips students with theological depth and also sector-aligned practice, ethics, supervision experience and professional identity. It sets students up to apply for membership with Korowai Tupu, the professional association for youth workers. 

What kind of topics do you cover?

Some of Laidlaw’s crowd favourite level 5 papers: Bicultural Relationships, Formation and Reading the Bible but assignments have a youth work spin on them to help students apply their learnings within their vocational context. Then, students have papers in what I call “real, raw” Youth Work which is where the sector-aligned content is covered. The content goes alongside student practicum hours working frontline with young people. These papers cover ­youth work models and theories, ethical practice, analysis of systemic and cultural influences on young people, and introspective work for the youth worker. They require students to engage with the heart of relationship building, navigate complex ethical scenarios and respond thoughtfully, pastorally and professionally to the contemporary realities facing young people across diverse contexts.

What will people be able to do with this qualification?

A graduate of the CertCYW is ready to work as a youth worker – they have all the necessary foundations in their kite to be a great youth worker in the community, schools or churches. Or they can continue study and complete the BTh or the new BA with a Youth Work specialisation (watch this exciting space). This would open up opportunities for senior youth work roles, programme development, management or church leadership. And of course post-grad study.

If you would like more information : https://ldlw.nz/youth-work