Training overview

Ensuring our adult members have the right skills, knowledge and confidence is always going to be a priority for us in Cardiff and the vale and we aim to support members’ learning in whatever way we can. 

With a change to the way learning is undertaken being launched in 2024 the learning team are constantly coming up with new ways to assist the learner in their learning journey; in short, we are trying to deliver training in the best ways possible allowing a flexible approach to suit all our adult volunteers. 

We recognise that all adult members are unique and different, and each will have a different set of skills and knowledge base to the next and we encourage every adult member to undertake and evidence learning appropriate to their role as well as the standard mandatory modules. 

Our learning support team is made up of volunteers from across the area and each district is represented. Our volunteers are committed to supporting individuals and are encouraging and approachable. 

Getting started

All adults in new roles will need to complete learning on the following modules; 

• General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) Training – Learning you need to do: Growing Roots | Scouts 
• Safety – Get support with our safety learning | Scouts 
• Safeguarding – Learning you need to do: Growing Roots | Scouts 
• First Aid (10) (First Response Course or First Aid at Work certificate from outside Scouting ) 

It is also recommended that all appointments undertake inclusion training Learning you need to do: Growing Roots | Scouts 

Members of a trustee board will also be required to undertake Trustee  E-learning 

All other appointments where a wood badge is required or suggested will need to complete the following training as detailed at Further learning opportunities: Branching Out | Scouts

This may include some or all of the following;  

• Delivering a Quality Programme (12A)  
• Programme Planning (12B) 
• An Introduction to Residential Experiences (16)
• Practical Skills (18) 
• International (19)
• Skills of Leadership (08) 
• Working with Adults (09) 
• Growing the section (13)

For those in management roles; the following learning needs to be undertaken; 

• Managing Time and Personal Skills 
• Providing Direction 
• Using Resources 
• Working With People 
• Enabling Change 
• Achieving Results 
• Safety for Managers and Supporters 

Course booking

In the new training scheme – launched in autumn/winter 2024- much more encouragement is put on you; the learner, to undertake your own learning- of course this can be done using previous knowledge but will mainly allow you to learn at your own pace at a time that suits you.  

Most courses that require you to undertake learning offer an online approach; visit your scout membership profile and follow the links to the ‘my learning’ page following directions to the ‘woodbadges and skills’ tabs to adapt your own training plan adjusted to your (various)role(s).

For more details on how to do this and how to sign up for courses run online- in video tutorial format- contact your local/district training manager or contact Rhys Collins- learning development team leader on rhys.collins@cardiffandvalescouts.org.uk or visit the scouts training pages The future of the Wood Badge | Scouts

The Area learning development team, the area management team and almost all adult leaders would always encourage any new adult volunteer to pursue their woodbadge. The learning development team will go out of their way to help all new volunteers to achieve this recognised achievement. 

Some courses, however, will be run in person and face to face and will take many forms. Please keep an eye on general communications and social media for details of how to book onto these. The most common way of us takings bookings for in person courses will be via eventbrite. 

Photos from our recent Nights Away training event