The community services and healthcare industry is currently experiencing significant levels of demand for workers, with many healthcare sectors appearing on skills needs lists across the country.  Hays Quarterly Report on healthcare, (April – June 2017), notes a continued trend in vacancy activity in Australia’s healthcare recruitment market across the country.

“The need to address the shortage of workers in the community services and support sectors is of the highest importance, with particular need to encourage workers into these industry areas,” says Kirstin Casey, General Manager at SkillsOne.

Upcoming National Skills Week, Australia’s pinnacle week celebrating vocational education and training (VET), provides an opportunity to encourage Australians to think about careers in the care industry.  A career in the healthcare sector can provide flexibility, career stability and strong engagement with the community, amongst other benefits.

Nurses are currently in high demand, with Health Work Force Australia (HWA), estimating that there will be a shortage of 100,000 nurses by 2025. The Department of Health and Ageing estimates that the aged care workforce will need to increase two to three times before 2050, to provide care to the growing number of aged care residents the Australian population is expected to see.

The health workforce in Australia is large and diverse with health occupations comprised of workers who diagnose and treat physical and mental illnesses and conditions. They may also recommend, administer, dispense and develop medications and treatment to promote or restore good health.

“Those involved in community and healthcare industries, with careers ranging from aged care, childcare, nursing, blood collections and beyond, are the backbone of our community.  They are the ones we turn to in our times of need. It is time to recognise and celebrate the achievements of individuals in these professions”, says Kirstin Casey, General Manager at SkillsOne.

Making sure those in the aged care and disability sector receive the best training and education possible is South Australian Rosemary Coulter. Rosemary’s current role is as a Training Coordinator at the South Australian Learning Center, in regional South Australia.

Here Rosemary provides training at a Certificate III level, in Individual Support Ageing. Rosemary’s students are placed in industry, in work placement for a four-week period, with the goal of securing employment in that workplace post placement, ensuring their skills are current and industry ready.  Previously Rosemary was engaged in a role teaching nationally recognised qualifications in aged care with Red Cross Training Services.

Rosemary was a finalist at the Australian Training Awards in 2014 in the VET Teacher/ Trainer of the Year Award category.

“We are looking at an ageing population and an ageing workforce, we need to refresh and reinvigorate aged care work, to make it interesting again, particularly with today’s youth.  Importantly though, work in the healthcare industry has to come from the heart” says Rosemary.

Rosemary is a keen advocate of VET, and the role it plays in training and development in the healthcare industry.

“Through vocational education and training you get that first hand feel of an industry, it’s a real practical and hands on approach, which makes for interesting training,” says Rosemary.

SkillsOne will be showcasing VET qualifications during National Skills Week from 28 August to 3 September 2017. During this week, Australia will celebrate the limitless career opportunities available through a VET qualification. To organise an event, or take part in the many events that can be found across the country, visit the National Skills Week website.

For further information on Rosemary Coulter’s story, or other engaging career stories from the Australian Training Awards, VET Alumni program or the Australian Apprenticeships Ambassadors program, visit the Australian Training Awards website.

For more information please contact: Kirstin Casey (General Manager at SkillsOne)

Mobile: 0420 652 558 Email: kirstin.casey@skillsone.com.au