As the world becomes increasingly digitised, we’ve witnessed exponential growth in data with the total amount of global data estimated to double every two years. We know data is important, but do we know how to use it for good in the world of youth work? This course is a response to the need for the youth work sector to recognise the ever-increasing importance of data in making decisions in the modern world and to help youth workers and managers develop skills in this area that will drive forward success for the sector in general and young people in particular. Enrolment is now open for the course starting on 23rd September – the course needs to be completed by 31st January 2026.
YouthLink Scotland worked with Fife College to create a data science course that would be directly relevant to the youth work sector. The course represents 20 – 30 hours of learning, is broadly comparable with SCQF level 6, is entirely online, with options to join a forum with other participants and connect with a tutor.
What is it?
This course is a response to the need for the youth work sector to recognise the ever-increasing importance of data in making decisions in the modern world and to help youth workers and managers develop skills in this area that will drive forward success for the sector in general and young people in particular.
Who is it for?
The course is suitable for youth workers, managers, volunteers and anyone interested in developing their knowledge of data in a youth work setting. Making the best use of impact evaluation data to measure the success of youth work is critical – this course supports the use of data to understand your communities and plan effectively for the future, this course is for you.
**39 learners signed up for the first cohort in autumn 2023. 22 are enrolled on the current cohort which started in Jan 2025**
Youth Worker, Susan Law who completed the course, says:
I would definitely recommend signing up and attending the Youth work data course delivered online with Fife College. The course is pitched at everyone who is involved in collecting and presenting data, and although it may not be the main part of your role it gives you the knowledge on the importance of this in youth work especially when evaluating or collecting information for funding. The materials are well presented and the example of other youth projects across Scotland and the uk gave great ideas and showed where evaluation worked well when collecting with and alongside young people. In addition to the reading there are videos and interactive quizzes, how to use recording software using Google with the opportunity to reply to leave messages on the group noticeboard. On reflection I probably spent about 10/12 hours on the course – some parts I was able to do more quickly than others and also some of the additional reading I have saved for later to read or refer back to, and it was also a benefit being able to study and learn at my own pace at a time which suited me.