Youth Trainers Academy

2020, what an interesting year… It showed us that the best uses one can make of time, when all other elements are restricted, are to take care of self, others, to learn and the importance of connections in life. We learnt that we had to find alternative ways to engage with learners when face-to-face encounters are not possible.  This year’s YTA edition will provide an opportunity for you to create and develop impactful learning experiences for communities near and far.

Would you like to learn the craft which will engage your participants in sustainable personal growth? Would you want to become a Learning Designer, an Educator, a Trainer(*)? Would you join us?

Keep on reading! ^^

The Youth Trainers Academy is a unique opportunity to develop yourself along like-minded fellow trainers’,from various backgrounds, and connected with communities from several organisations.

=== Who can apply? ===

Any youth worker involved in initiatives, projects, organisation for which transferring knowledge, experiences and best-practices are key factors for individuals’ and/or organisational development.

For many, becoming a trainer is a call, a wish to give back and/or a path towards self development. You can have a look at some elements about what it takes to be a trainer, that will illustrate some of the elements expected from you.

As you noticed, it requires a lot of dedication and next to the elements mentioned in the article above, we are expecting applicants who will demonstrate being:

– positive
– open-minded
– flexible
– hard worker
– responsible
– patient
– supportive
– team players

At Zero Generation, we tend to believe that what one gives is almost as important as what they can get from our events. If you think and feel that this event can benefit you, then keep on reading because this call is to host 24 participants.

=== How to apply? ===

In order to apply to this event, we will ask from you:

* A motivation letter stating why you are the right person to attend YTA 2020 (2 A4 pages maximum)
* Clearly state whether Student (it’s compulsory to provide a copy of a valid a time of the event student ID/card, picture or scan) or Professional. If not mentioned, you’ll be subjected to Professional fee by default.
* CV pointing out all the activities, initiatives, international projects you’ve been involved within and/or outside your organisation
* To be ready to transfer 200 EUR as confirmation of your selection when that time will come.

Moreover,

* A support letter from a Trainer, aka Angel, willing and ready to follow up on your development and support you for the next year (till December 2021) (***) (****). Make sure that we have her/his email address.
This one is not compulsory, as we can provide an “Angel” if you don’t have any or request one who will accepted among our volunteers.

Be aware that only complete applications will be considered for selection.

Do also take into consideration that, once selected, some preparation work will be expected from you before the event.

=== Selection criteria ===

* Self presentation
* Experience in your organisation
* Participated in at least 1 training event (3 working days minimum)
* Diversity (organisation, gender, country, etc)
* Be available to deliver training for the next *** 3 years ***

NOTE: Next to the elements mentioned above, there is a part of subjectivity also from the trainers involved in the project. Whatever the result of the selection, we are ready and willing to provide some feedback to the applications; this might take some time though, depending on number of requests.

=== Application DL ===

All the requested materials for your application must reach the email address yta@zerogeneration.org before 6th September 2020, 23:00 CEST. We strongly advise you to start working on your application right away as collecting everything may take more time than you expect, especially choosing your future Angel.

=== What about COViD-19? ===

We have several options, contingency plans, as no one can predict how the situation will be in 3 months’ time.
We chose to have the event live. Which leads us to some changes related to how we operate the event:
– There will be less participants than previous years, in a space which will be fully ours (we have a better control of any externals joining in)  and where we are autonomous.
– The catering is brought to us by our long term local partner.
– The event will happen in Vilnius and the social program will adapt to local policies that will be in place at the time of the event.

If selected, you may be subjected to obligations requested by local authorities at the time of the event. The details will be communicated in due time.

=== Other Questions? ===

Still here… If you have questions about submitting your application or just a chat about how it’s like to be a trainer, reach out to the people responsible for YTA 2020 aka Milda Latakaite (milda@zerogeneration.org) & Herve Tunga (herve@zerogeneration.org).

We are planning to host live meetings on Saturdays 22nd and 29th of August. Check our YTA page on facebook for details.

We highly recommend you to take the needed time to read all the materials, ask questions or clarifications and start preparing your application ASAP.

The choice is yours to make… Are you joining?

Milda Latakaite & Herve Tunga,
Youth Trainers Academy Coordinators
Zero Generation
 

(*) Even if your NGO may be a YTA partner, you may be requested extra credentials to be recognised as Trainer in some of them. Contact your NGO Training Coordination for details.
(**) You’ll be refunded in such case as Lithuania, or your country, restricts movement, not allowing you to attend the event.
(***) To support the development of YTA graduates, we set up an Angel Program. You can click to find the Angels Guidelines.
(****) If you don’t have a Trainer as Angel, let us know. We do have volunteers willing to take care of you.