The WSPP* Children's Volunteer and Workforce Data Profile and Training Needs Analysis Report 2009

Many thanks to the organisations and groups that took the time to complete and return the WSPP Children's Volunteer and Workforce Data Profile and Training Needs Analysis 2009.

The information gathered has been analysed and the report is available now (see attachment). The findings have been shared with the Strategic Workforce Leads in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland and will be used to shape the next year of the children's Workforce Development Project.

The report has two focuses:

1 - Gives a picture of the Private, Voluntary and Independent children's workforce in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland with regards to the age, gender and ethnic origins of staff and numbers of staff trained in certain area. 

2 - A training needs analysis which, very briefly, found:

The most common barriers to training facing PVI groups working with children and young people are:

• Courses not being held at an appropriate time (55%)
• Courses being too expensive (52%)
• A lack of time to attend (52%)
• Courses not being held locally (48%)
• Lack of funding (46%)
• Lack of staff to cover (37%)

% of groups identifying each particular barrier given in brackets

In order of preference the most suitable times for training were:

• Weekday mornings (2.35) 
• Weekday afternoons (2.38)
• Weekday evenings (2.54)
• Saturday mornings (3.26)
• School holidays (4.06)
• Saturday Afternoons (4.16)

1 = most preferred time 6 = least preferred time.

In order of preference, preferred forms of learning were:

• Formal Training (2.3) & Workshops and Conferences (2.3)
• Work Based Learning (2.4)
• Flexible Learning Packs (3.1)
• Distance Learning (3.9)
• Shadowing (4.1)
• Email Networks (4.6)

1 = most preferred 7 = least preferred.

If you have any comments to make about these findings the Children's Workforce Development project would like to hear from you. Please email your thoughts to esther.c@valonline.org.uk or contact Esther on 0116 2575052.

*WSPP - Workforce Strategy Partners Programme - the funding stream made available from the CWDC to engage private, voluntary and independent sector in children's workforce development.