Aged care royal commission 'needs to include education'

The industry has been identified as one that is experiencing unprecedented growth, and one that will need a constant flow of workers moving into the profession.

Wicking Dementia Centre head James Vickers called on Prime Minister Scott Morrison to ensure the royal commission into aged care focused on solutions-based outcomes, with employment and training at its heart.

Education in aged care is offered in Tasmania by both TasTAFE and the University of Tasmania.

Wicking Dementia Centre’s role is split between research and education and offers leading education through its two courses Understanding Dementia and Preventing Dementia.

The courses are run as massive open online courses and are free to anyone to sign up.

Professor Vickers said the courses were aimed at the general public, but also the aged care sector.

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The Wicking Centre also offers a Bachelor of Dementia Care and UTAS offers bachelor degrees in nursing.

Courses in aged care are also offered by TasTAFE and are some of the vocational education provider’s most popular courses.

TasTAFE chief executive Jenny Dodd said the aged care courses focus on individual plans that have care at the core of the students’ learning. 

“Our practical training and partnerships with industry allow our students to learn about the sector in a real life setting – both through work placements in aged care facilities and in our simulated training rooms, led by industry-trained teachers,” Ms Dodd said.

There are about 470 students enrolled in Certificate III in individual support, which has streams in aged care, disability, home and community care.

“As well as gaining factual and procedural knowledge, students are taught to provide care in a way that is respectful and focused on the individual needs of the person they are caring for at the time.”

TasTAFE also has about 350 students in the Diploma of Nursing statewide, which prepares participants for employment as an enrolled nurse. 

“Demand for both nursing and aged care courses is very strong and we are exploring ways to increase our training capacity even further to respond to future demand,” Ms Dodd said.

Work placements at TasTAFE are also part of the course, with industry partnerships such as the Tasmanian Health Service, Hobart Private, Calvary hospitals, Ambulance Private, Hobart Day Surgery, Regis Aged Care and Respect Aged Care.

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