Nursery World - Playworkers demand funds for higher qualifications

The Government must fund qualifications for playworkers at level 3 and above if the sector is to increase the number of qualified playworkers needed, according to SkillsActive, the Sector Skills Council for active leisure and learning. In a prelude to the launch of the UK Strategy for Playwork Education and Training, which is due to be published in the next few weeks, Paul Bonel, SkillsActive's director of playwork, told Nursery World that the sector needs a workforce qualified to level 4 and degree level. But, he said, there are not enough opportunities for playworkers to access funding and learning opportunities across the country.

In a prelude to the launch of the UK Strategy for Playwork Education and Training, which is due to be published in the next few weeks, Paul Bonel, SkillsActive's director of playwork, told Nursery World that the sector needs a workforce qualified to level 4 and degree level. But, he said, there are not enough opportunities for playworkers to access funding and learning opportunities across the country.

'The needs in our sector are around level 3 qualifications and beyond for the post-25 age group. But there is a big issue around getting funding at level 3, because funding from the Learning and Skills Council is often skewed towards level 2 and the younger age group,' said Mr Bonel.

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