The Certificate in Community Youth Work (CertCYW)

Summary

The Certificate in Community Youth Work (CertCYW)* (*leading to the New Zealand Certificate in Youth Work (Level 5)) equips students with the knowledge, skills and formation needed to serve and support young people. The programme integrates youth work practice with a grounding in Christian theology and bicultural competence. Students are prepared to engage with taiohi in ways that uphold mana, reflect Christian character and respond to the diverse cultural contexts of Aotearoa New Zealand. 

Students will explore youth development with young people, bicultural relationships, spiritual formation and community engagement. 

The CertCYW provides a supportive pathway for youth work practitioners who desire to grow in their own spiritual and personal formation while learning to nurture the wellbeing of young people. 

The CertCYW is delivered over one year full-time, with part-time pathways available. It blends in-person learning with flexible options. Students take part in weekly classroom sessions, block courses, noho marae, and complete 300 hours of hands-on practicum in a youth work setting.

For those living rurally or needing study to fit around life, distance learning options are available. Laidlaw’s smaller class sizes, supportive tutors, and whānau-like student culture create an encouraging space for learning - ideal for those returning to study, building confidence, or wanting a second chance at education.