Abstract:

The article presents a study of the problem of educational and training standards for vocational training of youth workers. The important role of this profession in the development of young people is emphasized. Both the European context and the specifics of the training of professional youth workers in Bulgaria are presented.

There are over 2000 youth workers in Bulgaria (some of whom work in municipalities, district administrations and other public institutions and civic organizations involved in youth policy and others are volunteers), which have a significant role to play in providing special support for the personal, economic development and empowerment of young people, for full participation in society, tailored to the specifics of youth.

The aim of the "Youth Worker" profession is to facilitate and support young people aged 15 to 29 in their growth from dependence to interdependence, and to promote their personal and social development.

The definition of the term "youth worker" is an important research task that requires the study of European experience. In the individual countries there is a wide variety of terms (we have systematized more than 30 terms, most of which are literary - translated into English). In the study we could note five different concepts about the different traditions, contents and settings and different engagements of young people.

The expected positive effect of the implementation of the idea of vocational training of youth workers in the short term is mainly focused on: rationalizing the professional structure for the implementation of youth activities and the organization of youth events; enhancing the professionalism and quality of services for young people.

In the long term, it is expected: adequate use of the highly specialized work of experts from different professional fields working with young people, with a subsequent positive economic effect.

In conclusion, we can summarize that the responsibility of the education system is to prepare qualified specialists to meet the growing and constantly changing needs for effective work with young people in the implementation of European policies and the National Youth Strategy 2010-2020 in Bulgaria.

The research analyses the current situation and offers concrete ideas for a solution.

Keywords:

Youth worker, educational standards, vocational training.