If youth work is your dream career, you don't need to leave the Shoalhaven to get the qualifications you need.
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TAFE in Nowra and Ulladulla wll both offer a diploma of youth work for the first time this year.
The diploma is targeted at those with experience working with young people and who are keen to build their skills and networks.
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TAFE NSW Head Teacher of Community Services Ashleigh Ellis said youth work was a richly rewarding career with plenty of opportunity for professional growth.
"To be able to make a difference in a young person's life is a privilege," Ms Ellis said.
"Youth is a challenging time; you're changing and developing fast, and your role in society is changing.
"Young people are trying to work out where they fit in while at the same time being exposed to the superficial parts of a person's life on social media and it can be very difficult."
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, one quarter of young people aged 16-24 have a mental health disorder.
Ms Ellis said youth workers supported people aged between 12 and 24 facing welfare, behavioural, developmental, social and protection issues, and worked in youth-specific services, such as refuges, youth centres or mental health programs.
Graduates could secure jobs such as case manager, case worker, youth services coordinator and youth worker, she said.
The Diploma of Youth Work is a 12-month course delivered online.
