Youth workers to get new training thanks to multi million pound programme

Tags: CWDC | NCVYS | Training

Voluntary sector youth workers are set to benefit from a £3.8m programme to receive training in a variety of areas.

25,000 places will be available across five courses - learning and development, safeguarding, health and safety, promoting access to information, and equality and diversity. The programme will start in May and aims to create a consistent level of ability and skills for paid and voluntary staff across the sector.

It will be funded by the Children's Workforce Development Council (CWDC) and will be run by the National Council for Voluntary Youth Services (NCVYS). It will also form part of the Young People's Workforce Reform Programme.

NCVYS chief executive Susanne Rauprich said the scale of the programme means it will "be able to reach valuable members of the workforce who have had no access to training".

The training will be run by third sector providers who will be paid £100 per learner. Up to 360 people will also be trained to run the courses to ensure the programme can continue beyond 2011.

Doug Nicholls, national officer for community, youth workers and the not-for-profit sector at Unite, said any investment in developing the third sector should be praised. But he warned: "Don't expect to get bums on seats unless there is some reward for part-time workers and recognition of the value of this training in the current Joint Negotiating Committee system."

To go to the CWDC website to read more about the Young People's Workforce Reform Programme, click here.