This is an innovative partnership between Octavia and Training for Skills (RBKC), an established training provider, to deliver work-based training in childcare. The NVQ2 is the recognised entry-level qualification for any individual seeking employment in this field.

The partnership is innovative to both organisations and has identified, and potentially created, a new area of work for Training for Skills as prior to this they had not trained people above the age of 23 (funded to train young people from 16-23). Octavia Training for Skills have managed to get accreditation for the course from Learning Skills Council for Central London, recruit an experienced Practitioner/Tutor and provide additional ESOL, Literacy and Numeracy support to participants. We have facilitated an opportunity to create an onsite crèche that is being utilised by our tenants attending the training. (Childcare was one of the reasons cited by tenants as a major barrier to training and employment).

The course commenced in January 2003 and, despite some non-starters and early drop-outs, a total of 7 tenants of varying backgrounds are currently undertaking the course with commendable levels of enthusiasm and commitment. 5 have now commenced work placement at local nurseries. Upon completion of the NVQ we plan to introduce specialist services to focus on job applications. We also hope that some participants will progress to NVQ3, providing them (and therefore their communities) with a management qualification.

The NVQ format allows participants to gain their qualification at a pace that is appropriate to their learning ability and, therefore, is particularly well suited to long-term unemployed adults or those not comfortable with conventional education. It is envisaged that some participants may complete by the end of 2003 but others may require more time.