Indigenous work in own communities

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander aged and primary health care trainees completed training last week with new, nationally recognised qualifications in business and management.

The new qualifications will help 83 trainees from the Indigenous Remote Service Delivery Traineeship Program gain employment in aged care and primary health care services in their own communities.

The program provides funding for trainees’ wages and on-costs, and covers accommodation and travel expenses associated with their training.

The federal government reportedly provides $15.7 million to support 240 trainees under the Indigenous Remote Service Delivery Program.

Minister for Mental Health and Ageing, Mark Butler, believes the residential traineeships will help “overcome” barriers to employment and training in remote areas which Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people commonly face.

“They also assist Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to access the aged care services they need in a culturally appropriate setting,” he adds.

“Apart from providing relevant training, the great value of this program is the opportunity for trainees to share experiences, develop networks and link with other participants in similar roles from around the country.”

The success of the Indigenous Remote Service Delivery Program complements other initiatives put in place by the federal government to support the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander aged care and primary health care workforce.

These initiatives include Building an Indigenous Workforce in Community Care; the Northern Territory Jobs Package; the Cape York Welfare Reform Trial; the National Jobs Creation Package; and the Torres Strait Islands Jobs Package.

The programs have, together, delivered more than 700 permanent part-time positions in services delivering home and community care, community aged care programs and flexible aged care services.

A second round of 60 trainees commenced their training at the end of 2011.