‘Cries’ for more staff answered

As the aged care sector “cries out” for more staff, provider of workforce training and development, Action for Employment, is doing its bit to change the face of an industry in need.

The organisation recently secured about $40,000 in funding to provide much needed training in the aged care sector, through the National Workforce Development Fund.

According to Minister for Tertiary Education and Skills, Chris Evans, there will be 51 projects carried out in the aged care sector to help “up-skill” workers in the industry.

Action for Employment’s skills director, Darren Otten, says the sector is “crying out for staff, but many potential employees do not currently have the skills and qualifications they need to get these jobs”.

Mr Otten says the additional funding will allow the continuation of training that is required to enable potential employees to develop the skills their employers are seeking.

“Under the program, [Action for Employment] will use its training expertise in collaboration with employer partners to design, develop and deliver tailored education and training solutions in the aged care sector,” he adds.

Training will include a combination of nationally accredited classroom-based units and work placements that will meet the skill requirements for aged care worker positions.

Service delivery and ensuring competency and capacity to achieve high levels of productivity on job commencement will also be included in the training packages.

The National Workforce Development Fund is part of the federal government’s Building Australia’s Future Workforce package and Skills Connect package; an initiative designed to consolidate the government’s skills programs and better target training to meet industry and employer needs.