Supporting Skills for Care Workers

📖 The Scoop

The changing skill requirements for the occupations of childcare worker and eldercare provider in Great Britain were examined. Data were collected from the following: review of existing literature; preliminary exploratory interviews with representatives of voluntary organizations, professional bodies, training providers, organizations involved in supporting caregivers, and others; in-depth interviews with 16 representatives of 8 organizations providing eldercare and 9 managers of childcare programs; and a seminar to refine the study findings and conclusions. The study focused on the following: the childcare and eldercare sectors and changes affecting them; current and future job skill requirements for entry and senior care workers and managers; recruitment, recruitment difficulties, and skill shortages; and provision of training. In 1996, approximately 4% of the British work force worked in child care and related occupations and 2% worked in eldercare. Although both occupations have recently experienced and will likely continue to experience significant growth, both remain among the lowest-paid occupations. The personal skills and attitudes and personal, social, medical, and domestic care requirements for both occupations were identified. Although training has not traditionally been considered very important for either occupation, some respondents were beginning to pay greater attention to training and development. (Contains 39 references.) (MN)

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