The first of an expected 400 Queensland participants will commence a series of micro-credential courses specifically designed for the aged care sector from today, in a pilot program designed to teach in-demand skills in the rapidly growing aged care sector.
Employment service provider MEGT has partnered with Aged Care Services Australia (ACSA) and workforce management platform PowerHouseHub, to increase the employability of workers who have devoted themselves to looking after Australia’s elderly.
MEGT will deliver four online courses as part of its’ ‘Aged Care Potential’ micro-credentialing pilot program. Courses, each of which lasts three hours, will cover the following subjects:
- Dignity of risk, which gives people the right or dignity to take reasonable risks
- Understanding the aged care standards
- Planning for pandemics
- Leadership in crisis
Micro-credentialing is increasingly used in many workplaces to develop skills not always taught in traditional education pathways. The pilot program will test what types of training are required to meet the needs of the aged care sector, which is expected to triple its’ workforce within a decade.
The courses will be rolled out throughout all of South East Queensland. MEGT CEO Bridie Gildea says the pilot program will address complex and ever-changing needs in a sector where care for individuals is paramount.
“MEGT is proud to help Queensland’s dedicated and hard-working aged care workers to be the best they can be, while looking after our much-valued and respected generation of older Australians”.
Aged and Community Services Australia CEO Patricia Sparrow said: “Aged care workers are amongst the hardest working, passionate and caring in Australia. This program is a positive step towards teaching skills that they can apply now and well into the future”.
PowerHouse Hub CEO Tony Carrucan said: “At such a critical time for the aged care sector, PowerHouse Hub is committed to providing a workforce development platform that supports skilling people in the aged care sector in Queensland”.
Funding will be provided by Queensland’s Department of Employment, Small Business and Training, while the program will be officially launched by regional director of the Brisbane metropolitan region, Glen Watson.
