16/02/06 - Three key developments given green light by Skills for Care board

At the Skills for Care board meeting,three key projects were approved, including the development of a Sector Qualifications Strategy, the online publication of a list of third party training publications and also the administration of the framework for social care apprenticeships.

Skills for Care intends to develop a fit for purpose Sector Qualification Strategy for all stakeholders within adult social care in England, which would then contribute to the UK-wide Sector Qualifications Strategy developed by the Sector Skills Council, Skills for Care and Development. The Sector Qualification Strategy is a list of learning programmes, standards and qualifications that the sector wants to use, and that will provide the basis for negotiating prioritisation for funding support with key organisations through the Sector Skills Agreement process.

Skills for Care Chair, Donald Hoodless said: "The Sector Qualification Strategy allows the Sector Skills Council to take a lead role in determining the skills, standards, learning and qualifications needs for the sector now and in the next five to ten years. It also provides the basis for all education and training funding support decisions. This strategy, together with this week's call for registration of the workforce, will be hugely beneficial for the social care sector."

The board also approved Skills for Care's proposal to take responsibility for the administration of the Level 2 and Advanced Apprenticeships alongside those in health. Skills for Care intends to take action to improve take up and achievement rates.

Donald Hoodless commented: "Our experience of some apprenticeship programmes and the Young Apprenticeship project is that with proper links into support and employer engagement completion rates in the sector can be at the highest level. With a properly informed and managed system we can encourage apprenticeships to fulfil the potential for the future."

The Skills for Care board also approved the publication of contact details of social care sector publishers and training providers on the Skills for Care website at www.skillsforcare.org.uk. While the list will be helpful to employers seeking sources for workforce development, inclusion on the list does not mean endorsement of training materials or courses by Skills for Care.

Source : Skills for Care