Workforce transition made easier for students
National peak body, Aged and Community Services Australia (ACSA) recently announced the winners of the Victorian Aged Care Awards for 2015 with local aged and community care provider, Lyndoch Living, being declared the Victorian winner of the Organisation Award.
From left: Sheron Cook, Lyndoch Living's director of support services; Linda Murray, director of Murray Strategic; and Doreen Power, Lyndoch Living chief executive.
This year, the award recognised Lyndoch Living’s innovative partnership with South West TAFE. Together, these two local leaders in their respective fields are providing a cutting edge model of training, which sees graduates receive a nationally accredited qualification paired with real industry skills and an incomparable level of work readiness.
The Lyndoch Living – South West TAFE partnership is in response to the increased demand for qualified and work ready aged and community care workers as the population continues to age. By delivering the course within an aged and community care setting, a practical approach to study is provided, ensuring that students are better prepared to transition into the workforce.
From the first day that the students commenced their studies, they are relating to and engaging with real residents and clients. Students of the program also have access to a broader range of specific industry skills and assessment techniques, resulting in a higher standard of graduate to meet the expectations of the aged and community care
Doreen Power, Lyndoch Living chief executive, says the provider's partnership with South West TAFE, recognises the intangible rewards the broader community is already experiencing through the program.
Mark Fidge, South West TAFE’s chief executive, adds: “I believe that this partnership has been of great benefit to the students, the aged and community care industry and the region. South West TAFE’s future lies in working in partnership with industry, and this is a wonderful example of how we can provide a good outcome for both industry and our students.”
ACSA predicts that, by 2050, Australia’s ageing population will require about 300% increase in workers to deliver their care.
The Lyndoch Living – South West TAFE partnership program exemplifies how the industry can proactively fill the staffing and skills gap without losing the quality of care delivery.
“Together with South West TAFE, we are producing more graduates, who are of higher calibre and work ready to deliver quality care to our ageing population.” Ms Power says.
Sheron Cook, Lyndoch Living's director of support services, adds: “Creating graduates that are work ready is a key focus of training delivery, which we wouldn’t be able to deliver without the support of Lyndoch Living staff. They are integral in providing students with regular exposure to the work environment and enabling us to deliver a wide range of speakers, who are currently working within the industry, and of which some have been doing so for in excess of 30 years.”
The initial intake last year saw 19 students successfully complete the dual qualification of Certificate III in Aged Care and Certificate III in Home and Community Care. These graduates are now either working in the aged and community care industry, or have elected to undertake further studies in the health industry.
“As the course continues to gain momentum, we are exploring the opportunity for a mid-year intake of students. This is an exciting time as we continue to develop our relationship with South West TAFE and increase our capacity and capability as a leader in delivering nationally accredited training on site.” MsCook says.
