Nursery World - View from the bridge (3)

Early years practitioners in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland say what the important training issues are from their perspective Nick Waller, training officer for Powys County Council and manager of the Machynlleth Community Nursery:

Nick Waller, training officer for Powys County Council and manager of the Machynlleth Community Nursery:

'Training in Wales continues to be access driven. While support systems in the North and South are generally effective, it is a much tougher proposition to get hold of quality training in the mid-Wales heartland. As a result, there is a conspicuous skills shortage with the handful of trained nursery staff taking their experience away from the area and others not inclined to move in due to low wages and limited promotional prospects.

'The colleges are not well co-ordinated in the delivery of NVQs because placements are few and assessors with 'D' units even fewer. College-based courses - the Wales Pre-school Playgroups Association diploma, BTec and Diploma in Childcare and Education - are better subscribed and students who can overcome transport challenges (some students may have to travel 60 miles daily to get to their training) are likely to complete.

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