Pioneering program helps aged care training shortfall

14 March 2019

14 Mar 2019

Five years ago, Anne Mubale was living as a refugee in Kenya, having fled her war-torn home in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Today, Anne provides support to older Australians living in aged care as a VMCH Personal Care Assistant (PCA).

And while things are looking up for Anne now, it’s not been a straightforward road.

Anne is among hundreds of hopeful refugees and new Australians who undertake aged care training with Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) but struggle to find gainful employment.

In March 2018, a pilot program called Interconnect, run by not for profit aged care provider VMCH, in partnership with Emprevo (workforce technology) and employment providers The Bridge Inc and Wingate Avenue Community Centre, was formed to help to combat this issue by providing four candidates with on-the-job training in the VMCH workplace.

“This initiative came about after uncovering how many people were deemed long term unemployed after completing a Cert III in Individual Support for many reasons, but the main one was going through an RTO that did not provide an appropriate amount of training on the job, nor had any links to industry. The very system that is supposed to support these people is actually getting them stuck in an unemployment loop with no way out,” said VMCH Senior Manager Learning and Organisational Development, Kate Tonge.

“We worked closely with our Residential Service Managers to come up with the program specifics, including volunteering, practical shadowing and mentoring, to give candidates exposure to what working in aged care involves and to make an informed decision if this is something they wish to proceed with. And more widely, we want to upskill our workforce to meet the clinical, emotional and spiritual needs of people in aged care.”

One year on, three out of four candidates (including Anne) are finally enjoying success in their chosen fields, while one is receiving support to improve her language skills and confidence.

“After I did my aged care course in 2015 I could not get a job, so I ended up having to work in a factory,” Anne said. “I did this for a year but did not think I could do it forever, so I went back and studied disability. It was while doing this and still looking for a job I got nominated for this program.”

Anne said without Interconnect, she’d still be looking for work.

“All jobs asked for experience, which I didn’t have. This program helped me get the experience and allowed me to show them (VMCH) how well I can work and how much I like to care for others.”

Emprevo’s Strategic Relationship Director Wendy Fergie said while the pilot was a great start to address the growing need for a caring workforce, more needed to be done.

“The biggest problem we have found is there still are a number of RTO’s who are simply ‘tick and flick’ to get the funding. Often there is no practical experience included and no check as to whether the candidate’s language skills are at a level they would even be able to learn the skills being taught.

“The system needs to be overhauled and we need to address why so many wonderful caring people are still allowed to be misled and then treated so poorly.”

Interconnect was made possible through a one-off JobsBank grant from the State Government. Wendy and Kate said further funding was needed to keep the program running, and ideally, upscale.

“Our hope would be to build this program to be a national initiative lead by VMCH, working with Emprevo, to build a workforce for the future with the amazing people already in our communities,” Wendy said.

“Through providing them with the right training and support to be work ready, we could address the shortfall of jobs forecast and change the way working in aged care is viewed today.”

More news articles in Residential Aged Care

View all

VMCH volunteer honoured

The power of music in palliative care

Honouring Women Who Inspire

Aged care centenarian celebrates birthday and country

Specialised dementia care changing lives

A safe haven for men’s health

Time for innovation in Palliative Care

Carol celebrates almost a half century of volunteering

Pastoral care at end-of-life a vital support

A little lost? Start here.

Locating the information you need has become far easier with our useful guide. Answer a few simple questions and you will be on your way.

Not sure where to start?

→

Who needs our services?

I am here for
someone else I am here
for myself I am
looking for a job

Acknowledgement of Country

We here at VMCH respectfully acknowledge the traditional owners of the lands on which we gather, and we would like to take a moment to honour the fact that we live on the lands of the oldest civilisation in the world. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and wisdom of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and pay our respects to their elders past, present and emerging.