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Futures in aged care
HSC students will combine school work with
training and paid work through IRT College.
Providers showcase potential careers to
students in traineeship program.
A
ge service providers reached out to school students from
the Gold Coast and the Illawarra to drum up interest in
aged-care professions.
IRT College partnered with the NSW Department of Industry
and Apprenticeship Support Australia to pilot a school-based
apprenticeship traineeship in a Certificate III in Individual Support.
Dr David Rosete, IRT College general manager, said the sector
needs to attract and retain more skilled workers.
Fourteen students from eight Illawarra schools are participating in
the pilot. Rosete said: “The students will combine their school studies
with work and training to gain credits towards their Higher School
Certificate and a nationally recognised aged-care qualification.”
IRT Group chief executive Nieves Murray said that, as with
many care providers, less than 10 per cent of IRT’s workforce
is under 24 years of age. “We’re definitely keen to attract more
school-leavers to IRT.”
Ozcare is another Australian provider keen to introduce high
school students to a career in aged care. The provider teamed up
with the Department of Education and Training and the Health
Pathways Alliance initiative to hold the Health Inspiration Days.
Students on the Gold Coast got to tour three of Ozcare’s agedcare facilities, to learn more about care for older people and to
chat with staff and residents.
Sharon Duffy, Ozcare’s senior adviser of learning and
development, said it’s essential that providers support the industry
by marketing aged care as a viable career option. “We need to meet
the needs of our local community now and ensure that in 20 years’
time we don’t face a skill shortage.”
Students were also given the opportunity to apply for a schoolbased traineeship. The provider signed up nine school-based
trainees for 2016.
Senior skills development officer for the Department of
Education and Training Barry Dowling said the traineeship is a
head start for students wanting a career in the health industry. n
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aged care professional?
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20/04/2016 4:11 PM
agedcareinsite.com.au
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