Earlier this summer, SkillsActive published a report, Playwork People 4, which found that more than 40 per cent of playworkers do not have a playwork qualification. So employers who are keen to recruit more staff with specific expertise in play will doubtless welcome the launch of the Level 2, 3 and 4 Award, Certificate and Diploma in playwork, developed by SkillsActive. Candidates now have the opportunity to pursue a three-tiered approach to learning at each level.
The award represents an induction, the certificate attests that learners are 'ready' for work and the diploma that they are 'competent'.
Employers told SkillsActive they needed more staff who understood the principles and values of playwork and who were committed to developing a career in this area. They said playwork qualifications needed to provide a clearer picture of the skills that had been acquired.
To ensure the new awards meet the needs of employers, SkillsActive recently undertook a full review of the playwork national occupational standards, consulting across the playwork sector - with employers, training providers and playworkers themselves.
Having developed the new qualifications with key partners, SkillsActive is confident it has created a user-friendly, bite-sized approach to learning, which could close the skills gaps. At all levels, the units were pulled together by a technical reference group and at Level 3 and 4 the units were sent to awarding bodies to be developed into qualifications. New units at Level 3 cover adventure play, play rangers and playwork for younger children.
Uzma Anglin, SkillsActive communications manager, says, 'In response to employer feedback, we have ensured that playwork principles are contained in a specific unit, so learners can use it as a standalone qualification.'
She adds, 'Employers will benefit because qualifications will be available in bite-sized chunks, which means staff will be able to study flexibly, to suit themselves, their employers and the settings they work in.
'These playwork qualifications are the only ones which fully equip learners to work in out-of-school clubs, holiday playschemes, adventure playgrounds and play-based facilities for school-aged children,' she says.
SkillsActive is in discussion with the CWDC to achieve recognition of the Level 2 Certificate and Level 3 Diploma as full and relevant for practice in early years registered settings, which would mean they will be accepted in nurseries as well as out-of-school clubs.
Level 3 will be available this October, Level 4 is due to be published by January 2011.
FURTHER INFORMATION
www.skillsactive.com/playwork/qualifications/qualifications_development
