Byline: Jenny Rees

Almost pounds 500,000 is to be spent on training youth workers, the Assembly Government announced this week.

Jane Davidson, Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning has agreed funding of pounds 479,000 to support youth work training in Wales for 2004-05.

The funding will be used to train youth workers at all levels of the service to obtain a range of qualifications and to ensure they receive adequate continued professional development.

The Minister said, 'It is important that youth workers and others who have contact with young people are appropriately qualified and trained for the roles they are undertaking.

'I am committed to support the training and development of youth workers and those who need the skills of working with young people to deliver their services. This is the only way to ensure the best quality provision for our young people in Wales.

'This is an important step in developing appropriate training to workers at different levels within the service. …