2008 in focus: Qualifying the playwork workforce

Lindsey Bennett, SkillsActive - 05/12/2008

Supporting the skills of playworkers is an important element of the government’s national Play Strategy launched in April 2008. SkillsActive is working closely with the Children’s Workforce Development Council and the Learning and Skills Council, to manage an initiative to fund 4,000 playworkers to achieve Level 3 qualifications in playwork.

The funded qualification, the Level 3 NVQ in Playwork (equivalent to three good A Levels), can help prepare playworkers to manage a play environment, such as a play scheme, after school club or a youth centre. A second funded qualification, the Transitional Modules into Playwork from Early Years and Child Care, at level 3, has been offered in smaller numbers, for Early Years Practitioners who work, or wish to work, in a Playwork setting (and hold a Level 3 qualification).

The government’s flagship skills service, Train to Gain, managed by the LSC, will be involved in the regions, linking employers to quality training provision and providing the opportunity to address skills needs across the workforce.

Employers were informed of the opportunity to access the first 2,000 of the funded courses in May this year through a combination of events, features and letters through the SkillsActive and CWDC regional networks. There was a large response to the offer from Playwork employers, with demand exceeding supply fourfold.

Paul Bonel, Head of Children and Young People at SkillsActive says: “The first phase of the Level 3 funding had an exceptional response, with applications exceeding the number of funded places available within a couple of months of the initiative being advertised. This shows a real commitment from employers to provide the best opportunities to improve training standards and professionalise the industry.

“The majority of playworkers are highly skilled individuals – often moving into playwork from other professions.  However, our research shows that there is a distinct lack of workers who hold Level 3 qualifications in Playwork. This funding is vital to the development of the sector and indeed the development of healthy, happy children and young people through a professional playwork service.”

The second phase of 2,000 qualifications will become available from April 2009. Employers who wish to take advantage of this opportunity to provide skills and training to their workforce can apply today using the application form available from this website at www.skillsactive.com/playwork/qualifications.