Playwork staff gain government-funded training

Paul Bonel, head of children and young people at the sector skills council, Skillsactive, said: 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.

He said employers had shown a real commitment to provide the best opportunities to improve training standards and professionalise the industry. He added: It is crucial that playworkers are sufficiently skilled to deliver the play element of the Children’s Plan.

He urged employers to register quickly to ensure their teams are put forward for the next phase of funding.

Barbara Walsh, director of workforce reform at the Children’s Workforce Development Counci, also wlecomed the high level of response from playwork employers for the first phase of the Level 3 funding. She said the CWDC would continue to work closely in partnership with Skillsactive and the Learning Skills Council to help employers access training for their employees.