Fourteen participants have graduated from a four-week program through New England Training, Careers and Real Employment (NETCARE) to progress their careers in the aged care industry.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Jobseekers from Armidale and Glen Innes were selected and invited to participate in a four-week unpaid pre-vocational program which entails study of five units from the Certificate III Aged Care Work and supervised work placement with participating employers.
The program, funded by State Training Services New England via the Strategic Skills Program - Partnering for Jobs, ended with a graduation, celebrating the significant achievement of students and program partners.
NETCARE is a regionally-developed and run program connecting employers and people seeking career-based employment in the community services sector. While the Aged Care Workforce Innovation Network (WIN) was a catalyst for the formation of NETCARE, the program itself is funded via State Training Services Strategic Skills Program-Partnering for Jobs and will be worked between Armidale and Glen Innes and with three employers including the Royal Freemasons’ Benevolent Institution Armidale Masonic Village, Ken Thompson Lodge, the Royal Freemasons’ Benevolent Institution Glen Innes Masonic Village and Roseneath, Glen Innes.
Other program partners include New England TAFE, State Training Services Apprenticeship Support Services, and BEST Employment, which has engaged jobseekers at both ‘recruitment catchment areas’ around Glen Innes and Armidale.
Anthony Hollis, training co-ordinator with the Australian Apprenticeships Support Service said as stakeholder links are established and partnerships formed, the program is sufficiently flexible to facilitate other employment opportunities in disciplines such as hospitality and horticulture.
“The program provides a preparatory program for jobseekers which introduces new entrants to aged care, and facilitates career development opportunities,” Mr Hollis said.
Initially 41 jobseekers in Armidale and nine in Glen Innes expressed interest in the program.
Employers offered funded traineeships at successful conclusion of the pre-vocational program to those students who present as ‘right fit’ for industry, enabling them to complete their Certificate III in Aged Care, and start their career in aged care.
“The NETCARE New England Program will help ensure a well-trained appropriately skilled workforce that is better equipped to respond to the complex work environment faced by today's aged care professionals,” Mr Hollis said.
“This program will also look to be replicated in the Tamworth region, and on an on-going basis.”