SkillsActive made the announcement during the launch in Edinburgh last week of the Sector Skills Council's (SSC) programme of activity. SkillsActive was granted its full operating licence as the new SSC for active learning and leisure last October, and was awarded funding from the Scottish Executive's Skills Fund to develop its work throughout Scotland.
Ashley Pringle, SkillsActive's Scotland-based head of home country development, said the playwork sector group had been commissioned by the Executive's education department 'to bring together the various providers of services for Scotland's children to ensure integrated provision for the needs of the whole child'.
The Scottish Executive has awarded 39,000 to the playwork sector group for 2004/05 to set up the network and develop online and distance learning for playwork qualifications. Work will start at the beginning of April and contribute to the implementation of the Executive's early years strategy.
The group will link up with emerging SSCs, including health, social care and lifelong learning, to develop a collaborative approach to training and qualifications in social care, health, childcare and early years. This will make it easier for people working in children's services to move jobs across sectors.
It is envisaged that the network's members will include representatives from childminding, early years, out-of-school workers and childcare partnerships.
In addition to playwork, SkillsActive is the SSC for employees in sport and recreation, health and fitness, outdoor education and training and the adventure and caravan industries.
John Zimny, chair of SkillsActive's Scottish committee and director of leisure services for Angus Council, said, 'This is a really exciting time to be part of SkillsActive in Scotland. Now, thanks to the support of the Scottish Executive and Scottish Enterprise, we have undertaken original work to identify long-term trends in employment in sport, fitness, children's play and outdoor recreation, and the courses and qualifications that will be needed to address skills gaps and develop the workforce we'll need in the future.'
Joan Beattie has been appointed as programme manager (children services) to co-ordinate the network.
