Some 40 previously unemployed Western Australians have found work in the caring sector after graduating from a special training programme funded by the Australian Government.
?The partnership between the Australian Government, Australian Medical Association in Western Australia and employers in the greater Perth region has resulted in 44 parents on pensions and mature aged job seekers given new careers in the aged care sector,? Minister for Workforce Participation Dr Sharman Stone said today.
?The aged care industry in Western Australia is facing a chronic skills shortage and needs to diversify its traditional workforce to fill these vacancies.
?So far the AMA (WA) has helped train 44 committed job seekers with many more to come. The job seekers have moved into traineeships in aged care.
?It is critically important that employers are closely involved in the job training and pre-work skilling. Employers need to make a commitment to employing these people.?
?This project is an excellent example of how an industry can address skill shortages by adopting a more flexible approach to its recruitment using the services provided by our Employment Services Providers,? Minister Stone said.
Due to the success of the project, plans are underway to extend the programme to offer similar training to job seekers in Bunbury.
The project received $91,000 under the Employer Demand Demonstration Project fund, which provides funding for innovative recruitment projects for unemployed Australians on welfare.
Chairman, AMA (WA) Training Services, Dr Rosanna Capolingua said the association was pleased to be able to work with the Federal Government to help address skill shortages in the sector and at the same time support an important service of caring for the elderly.
?Quality patient care is essential and through initiatives such as this job seekers have the opportunity to undertake formal training and employment – and a rewarding career,? said Dr Capolingua.
?The health sector offers exciting and interesting career pathways and along with flexible employment is an attractive option for many people. ?We hope many more people take up the chance to join our industry,? Dr Capolingua said.