E-learning program to reach those in regional areas
A new e-learning program for aged care education, launched by Leading Age Services Australia – Victoria (LASA Victoria) last week, will make aged care training accessible to those living in regional areas.
Chief Executive Officer of LASA Victoria Trevor Carr.
Chief Executive Officer of LASA Victoria Trevor Carr says the e-learning program will attract a new cohort of aged care professionals and also develop the skills of the existing workforce in regional areas.
“Historically, LASA Victoria has conducted its education and training activities in Melbourne, this has been a significant challenge for aged care providers and aspiring health professionals in regional and remote areas of Victoria,” Mr Carr says.
“LASA Victoria is introducing blended training which includes delivery via an online platform that is fully supported by a qualified trainer, face to face or interactive online training and workplace training.
“The flexibility of online education will cause less disruption to staffing rosters of aged care providers and contribute to health professionals gaining new skills, close to their workplaces and homes. Online education will also increase proficiency of computer skills, an important skill as we move towards a technology driven aged care industry.
LASA Victoria will rollout out the online education program statewide. Mr Carr says there is a critical shortage of aged care professionals right now and not, as policy makers are indicating in five to ten years.
“Statistics indicate the demand for aged care services and corresponding workforce is fast becoming the biggest challenge facing the health sector,” Mr Carr says.
“Elderly populations in regional areas of Murrindindi, Mansfield, Strathbogie and Alpine are amongst the oldest in the state and will grow anywhere between 19 to 24 per cent of their representative populations in just over 10 years.
“We need to train and develop the ‘next generation’ of the age care workforce, particularly for regional areas where we know the number of ageing people that are needing services is growing rapidly.”
Mr Carr said the aged care industry needs to urgently attract more young people into the workforce.
“While new training programs are attracting a new cohort of health professionals, the proportion of people under the age of 35 in the aged ca re workforce has not changed since 2003. As well, the current aged care workforce are ageing with fewer people entering the aged care industry,” Mr Carr says.
