Description
This paper aims to provide a picture of the occupations in the community services and health industry, and how the workforce obtains the required skills. The authors argue that planning for the industry should concentrate on occupations specific to the industry and those which require high skill levels. Findings suggest that the qualification levels of community services and health workers have increased substantially over the past decade. Furthermore, community services and health vocational education and training courses are well targeted, with most graduates finding employment in the industry.Summary
About the research
Due to skill shortages in vocationally trained and professionally trained occupations, workforce planning for the community services and health industry is critical. The authors of this paper argue that any workforce planning must consider the institutional features of the industry and the many ways in which people acquire and use their skills. The paper therefore aims to provide a picture of the occupations in the community services and health industry and to show how the workforce obtains the required skills. The paper also considers how well the outputs of the public vocational education and training (VET) system map to this industry.
Key messages
- Planning for the industry should concentrate on the occupations that are specific to community services and health, with greater consideration given to higher-skilled occupations.
- Community services and health VET courses are well targeted, with most graduates finding employment within the community services and health industry.
- The qualification levels of community services and health workers have increased substantially over the last decade:
- Degrees have taken over from diplomas for a range of occupations, such as health service managers and chiropractors.
- Diploma and advanced diploma training has replaced certificate-level training for associate professional and ‘alternative’ health workers.
- There has been an increase in credentials among the lower-skilled occupations, such as personal carers and child care workers.
The study identifies two main implications related to the movement towards higher qualifications amongst workers. Firstly, there is a challenge for the industry to ensure that higher credentials lead to higher skill levels and not just better credentialled workers; secondly, there is a challenge for the VET sector to promote the value of its training for associate professional level community services and health occupations, and thus not let universities take over this training.
Tom Karmel
Managing Director, NCVER