MRC’s Aged Care Embraces Diversity (ACED) program is funded by Skills Tasmania and directly assists culturally diverse and disadvantaged migrants to prepare for employment in the aged care sector.
The program is a training and work pathway opportunity designed to identify, modify and alleviate barriers to securing employment. Simultaneously, the program will assist aged care providers to identify, train and select potential employees who are well suited to the industry.
ACED is responding to employment demand in the aged care sector, which is growing with an ageing population having effects on clients, customers and existing employees. The program has been validated by the aged care industry and welcomed by partner Masonic Care. Masonic Care anticipated the need to recruit 50 or more new staff team members over a 12 month period and demand will substantially increase over the next five years.
The 15 month program provided training, employment pathway plans, job readiness skills, mentoring and support to a minimum of 45 people over two intake groups. Twenty participants studied for a Certificate III in Individual Support. Twenty five participants undertook training to work in aged care services such as cleaning, house keeping and kitchen skills. With a Statement of Attainment and three accredited units these students will be job ready for aged care services and also suitable for a relevant traineeship in the future.
The benefits of the program included participants receiving a range of non-accredited training units including job readiness and accredited units of study relevant to the aged care sector. Practical experience, training, mentoring and up to two weeks work placement with an individual pathway plan for each participant was also given. A reduction in social isolation and opportunities to mix with people of many cultural backgrounds is another positive outcome.
Find out more
To find out more about ACED, or to register your interest in a similar employment program offered by MRC, please contact us.
The final intake is full and the program concludes in May 2020.