Voluntary youth sector receives £3.8m for workforce training

By Janaki Mahadevan Tuesday, 24 August 2010

A £3.8m programme aimed at boosting training opportunities for volunteers and staff in the voluntary youth sector is set to start in September.

Progress will offer training in diversity

The Progress scheme, funded by the Children's Workforce Development Council (CWDC), was scheduled to launch in May but was delayed because of the election.

Training programmes will now launch next month and be managed by The National Council for Voluntary Youth Services (NCVYS), in partnership with further education body George Williams College and the YMCA.

The scheme is offering 25,000 training places for staff and volunteers and will help organisations continue with training and development beyond March 2011, when the project will end.

NCVYS chief executive Susanne Rauprich said: "Such an investment helps the sector step up to the challenges presented by the government's big society agenda, but also gives our staff and volunteers a great training base from which to progress to other skills and qualifications".

The credits gained through the training programme can be put towards a level 2 or 3 qualification. A NCVYS spokeswoman said: "Each unit carries a unique Qualifications and Credit Framework number and credit value which can then be used by the learner in the future if they decide to continue on to complete an award, certificate or diploma." She added that as part of the scheme a database has been set up, outlining qualifications across a range of sectors to help participants.

The five areas of training available are: young people's learning and development, safeguarding, health and safety, promoting access to information, advice and guidance and promoting equality and diversity.

A range of organisations with specialist expertise within the youth sector, including Muslim Youth Skills and Kids, have also come on board, while nine regional delivery agents have been appointed to co-ordinate local training providers.

Paul Harper, CWDC national programme manager, said: "We have taken advice from the sector about what they want to receive training in and it will be delivered by the sector for the sector. We are very pleased to be working with NCVYS and its partners and to be using their knowledge and expertise."