SkillsActive launch play on toolkit to improve playworkers’ english and maths skills

SkillsActive - 24/06/2008

The toolkit offers practical and useful information to help playwork employers think about how they can support their staff to develop their English and maths skills.

The toolkit is an invaluable resource to playwork employers and covers areas like; what the benefits are when playworkers improve their English and maths skills and how employers can set up, promote, evaluate and engage staff in the training.

Paul Bonel, Playwork Unit Director at SkillsActive, said: “Reading, writing and simple arithmetic are part of our everyday lives. Yet, according to the Leitch review, it’s the basic skills like these that a third of UK adults do not have. And, the same review of skills predicts that 90% of jobs will require level 2 qualifications by 2010.

“Playworkers rely on English and maths skills all the time; whether it’s preparing a budget for an activity, writing a letter to parents or completing a risk assessment.

“And, when staff are given the opportunity to brush up their English and maths skills, there are numerous benefits, not only for the individual and the people they’re in daily contact with, but for the employer as well.

“It’s never too late to develop English and maths skills and now, with the Play on toolkit, playwork employers are able to support their staff to develop these skills.”

SkillsActive’s Regional Development Managers (RDMs) will be distributing copies of the toolkit at regional workshops.

Playwork employers can contact their RDMs for details on these workshops and can make an appointment to discuss their organisation’s needs. 

For contact details of the RDMs visit: www.skillsactive.com/playwork/around-the-uk

For a downloadable copy of Play On click here or for further resources click here.