Insights from youth workers regarding young people's engagement in out-of-school-time youth development programs
The objective of this exploratory study was to better understand young people’s engagement in out-of-school-time youth development programs from the perspective of frontline youth workers. Qualitative interviews were carried out with six youth workers to this end. A number of obstacles to engagement were identified, the majority of which are external to youth. Positive dispositions towards youth by youth workers were found to be key in overcoming some of these obstacles, although program content and structure, as well as group climate also play an important role. The key dimensions of engagement the interviewees raised led to an elaboration of a current model of engagement found in the literature, making it more holistic. Implications for the training of youth workers and the structure of youth programs are discussed.
Youth engagement OST programs Youth development Youth workers