The Progress scheme, funded by the Children's Workforce DevelopmentCouncil (CWDC), was scheduled to launch in May but was delayed becauseof the election.
Training programmes will now launch next month and be managed by TheNational Council for Voluntary Youth Services (NCVYS), in partnershipwith further education body George Williams College and the YMCA.
The scheme is offering 25,000 training places for staff and volunteersand will help organisations continue with training and developmentbeyond March 2011, when the project will end.
NCVYS chief executive Susanne Rauprich said: "Such an investment helpsthe sector step up to the challenges presented by the government's bigsociety agenda, but also gives our staff and volunteers a great trainingbase from which to progress to other skills and qualifications".
The credits gained through the training programme can be put towards alevel 2 or 3 qualification. A NCVYS spokeswoman said: "Each unit carriesa unique Qualifications and Credit Framework number and credit valuewhich can then be used by the learner in the future if they decide tocontinue on to complete an award, certificate or diploma." She addedthat as part of the scheme a database has been set up, outliningqualifications across a range of sectors to help participants.
The five areas of training available are: young people's learning anddevelopment, safeguarding, health and safety, promoting access toinformation, advice and guidance and promoting equality anddiversity.
A range of organisations with specialist expertise within the youthsector, including Muslim Youth Skills and Kids, have also come on board,while nine regional delivery agents have been appointed to co-ordinatelocal training providers.
Paul Harper, CWDC national programme manager, said: "We have takenadvice from the sector about what they want to receive training in andit will be delivered by the sector for the sector. We are very pleasedto be working with NCVYS and its partners and to be using theirknowledge and expertise."
