Media release
From the Minister for Aged Care
Embargoed 7.35pm, Thursday, 20 July 2006
TRAINING THE KEY TO MEETING AGED-CARE CHALLENGES
Victoria’s human services workforce is expected to grow twice as fast as the Victorian population over the next 10 years, opening up many career opportunities, the Minister for Aged Care, Gavin Jennings, said tonight.
Mr Jennings said a $241 million Bracks Government investment to improve vocational education and training would help address this staffing surge.
Mr Jennings said demand for training in community services and health would keep increasing due to an ageing population, growing consumer demand for better and different services, the shift to home and community-based health services and greater use of technology.
“The challenges of workforce shortages and an ageing workforce require education and training programs to be aligned to industry needs,” he said.
“Improving the quality and efficiency of health and community services is a major State goal, and a well-trained and skilled workforce is essential to achieving that.”
Welcoming winners of State-sponsored Community Services and Health Industry Training Board Awards Mr Jennings said careers in aged-care required well trained and motivated staff.
Mr Jennings said community services and health employee numbers have risen markedly over the past two decades, and were expected to continue to grow.
“The proportion of our workforce in human services is tipped to reach 37 per cent in 10 years. This is twice the expected growth of the Victorian population or its workforce,” he said.
“Workers in this sector often deal with the most marginalised and vulnerable people: children, disaffected youth, the frail aged and others with disabilities. While this can be challenging work, the rewards are also great.
“The key to success in this area is well trained and well motivated staff,” Mr Jennings said.
Health service demand will increase by an average 54 per cent within a decade, according to a Department of Human Services forecast derived from ABS data and other sources, which was part of a DHS submission to the Productivity Commission report on the health workforce.
This demand includes community health (78 per cent), hospital patients (63 per cent), dental health (55 per cent), mental health (42 per cent) and aged care (32.5 per cent).
The Premier, Steve Bracks, last week announced $11.6 million to create TAFE training places for enrolled nurses, technicians, allied health assistants and other support staff. It will fund training of 1500 nurses and 420 allied health staff.
The Government’s skills initiative, Maintaining the Advantage: Skilled Victorians, sets the direction for the state’s vocational education and training sector over the next four years.
Under this plan, $241.4 million will be invested in four key areas:
- Starting earlier: $93.4 million to provide greater opportunities for young people to take part in vocational education and training and increase their chances of employment;
- Learning longer: $12.8 million to encourage new entrants, existing workers and adult learners to develop skills throughout their working lives;
- Getting smarter: Nearly $94 million to provide extra vocational education and training places in higher-level qualifications in key occupational groups and industries, and
- Making it easier: $41.1 million to develop 13 skills stores, to provide better information on career paths and training opportunities and making the training system more responsive.
Mr Jennings said the Bracks Government was also working to meet shortages and boost workforce participation through programs such as the $11 million Parents Returning to Work program and the $24 million Workforce Participation Partnerships (WPP) program.
“Both programs help job seekers facing barriers such as age, location or disability into ongoing employment in areas experiencing skills and labour shortages, such as aged care,” Mr Jennings said.
Community Services and Health Industry Training Board Awards winners
Mr Jennings tonight presented certificates and trophies to Community Services and Health Industry Training Board Awards winners at the Regent Theatre’s Plaza Ballroom, 191 Collins St, Melbourne. The eight winners are:
Employer Achievement in Creating a Learning Culture:
- Judith Congalton, of Malvern (Open Category)
- Paula Papanicolaou, of Mt Waverley (Small Business/Agency);
Innovation in Training and Assessment:
- Helena Williams, of Preston (Innovative Product);
- Elspeth King, of Bendigo (Recognising Competency).
Best Practice in Professional Training by a Registered Training Organisation:
- (No nominations were received).
Student Achievement:
- Sandra Conrow, of Morwell (Lifelong Learner),
- Deanna O’Brien, of Burwood East (Vocational Student),
- Lisa Sanders, of West Footscray (New Apprentice/Trainee) and
- Sara Whilesmith, of Chadstone (VET in Schools Student).
* WINNERS can be contacted through the Community Services & Health Industry Training Board, tel. (03) 9347 0377 or the board’s Internet website at:
Media contact: Martin Curtis 0400 512618