Commonwealth Deputy Secretary-General Deodat Maharaj, left; President and CEO of the Commonwealth of Learning, Professor Asha Kanwar; and Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the University of West Indies, St Augustine, Professor Clement Sankat.

Youth workers across the Commonwealth are to get greater access to certified courses following an agreement between The Commonwealth Secretariat, the University of the West Indies and the Commonwealth of Learning.

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed on Wednesday, June 24, 2015 at the 19th Conference of Commonwealth Education Ministers taking place in The Bahamas. It paves the way for a Diploma and Bachelor of Youth Development Work, developed by the University of the West Indies and the Commonwealth Secretariat, to be made available to tertiary institutions across the Commonwealth.

With the support of the Commonwealth of Learning, the Diploma and Degree will be turned into an open education resource that can be used to establish the programmes in other institutions.

Commonwealth Deputy Secretary-General Deodat Maharaj said that the Commonwealth had been a pioneer in the professionalisation of youth work. The new partnership will enable thousands more people who work with young people to gain professional qualifications, particularly those in small and developing countries.

Professor Asha Kanwar, President and CEO of the Commonwealth of Learning, said the partnership draws on the complementary strengths of all three organisations.

Professor Clement Sankat,Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the University of West Indies, St Augustine, noted the importance of equipping the vital youth professional workforce with proper qualifications and skills.