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Australia's population is ageing and is projected to increase
to be about one-fifth of the general population in the next 30 years.
Aged care workers have therefore a vital role to play in ensuring that
the needs of the aged are met. Recognition of skills and the training
needs of this group of workers are examined through an analysis of the
aged care industry and on-site interviews with a range of personnel,
including management, the workers themselves, and members of relevant
registered training organisations.
- Managers of residential aged care facilities appreciate that effective
skills recognition and training for its personal care workers is
crucial to helping them meet aged care facility standards. Such training
will
enable staff to more easily understand the requirements of their
jobs and the importance of accurate record-keeping.
- Personal care workers have a poor uptake rate of recognition of
prior learning even amongst workers with substantial experience in
the industry.
They show a preference for undertaking the training instead and learning
the theory behind their practices. Their managers also favour training
over existing skills recognition as a vehicle for workplace culture
change.
- Where it is agreed that recognition of prior learning is a viable
option, more realistic strategies are required that rely more on practical
demonstration
of their skills and knowledge and less on paper-based evidence.
- Registered training organisations need to ensure that training supports
the aged care facility's goal, is delivered on site where possible,
has theory embedded with practice, provides additional learner support
and is structured and paced to the needs of the particular groups
of workers.
- Associated features of good practice in training from the case studies
include increased collaboration between aged care facilities (to achieve
critical mass of numbers for example) and easier access to training
information for managers.
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