Youth Work in Malta is a formally recognised profession. The Youth Work Profession Act – Chapter 533 of the Laws of Malta specifies that: Youth Work Malta is a non-formal learning activity aimed at the personal, social and political development of young people. Youth workers engage with young people within their communities, including the voluntary sector and support them in realising their potential and address life’s challenges critically and creatively to bring about social change. Youth work takes into account all strands of diversity and focuses on all young people between thirteen (13) to thirty (30) years of age.

Moreover to ensure quality youth work the law established a Youth Work Profession Board.  This Board is responsible for establishing and assessing existing youth work standards and as well as keep an official register of all registered youth workers and youth work associations. The Board also made recommendations to the Minister for Youth so as to publish a Code of Ethics for the professional behaviour of youth workers. The aim of the Code of Ethics is to provide youth workers with a benchmark for good professional behaviour and practice. It is intended to guide and support youth workers in fulfilling their professional duties and responsibilities and to uphold professional standards and the continuous improvement of such standards. The Board can also inquire into any allegation of professional misconduct, negligence or incompetence by a youth worker and recommend to the Minister to take action against that youth worker.

Young people can participate in a youth work programme managed and coordinated by Agenzija Zghazagh made up of 3 levels. The first level is called “Access Skills for Independent Living and Working Life”. This course is between 35-40 weeks long and starts every September. On completion of the first level young people can continue with the second level called “Skills for Independent Living and Working Life”. This course is between 35-40 weeks long and starts every September. The third course is called “Connect Skills and Competences for the Work Place”. This course is between 35-40 weeks long and starts every September”. All three courses are delivered by professional youth workers employed by Aġenzija Żgħażagħ and lead towards formal accreditation at MQF Level 1, 2 and 3 respectively.

Currently, there are no top-level national policies and/or recognition mechanisms to identify specific skills and competences that can be acquired through youth work.

(From the Youth Wiki)