22 April 2024

TAFE NSW is helping future-proof Tumut and Tumbarumba’s aged care services as part of a unique program aimed at upskilling existing home care support workers.

More than 20 aged care workers from Tumut-based disability and aged care not-for-profit Valmar – some who have worked there for decades - will next week graduate with a Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing) through TAFE NSW.

The qualifications are being earned largely through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), which recognises skills, knowledge and experience gained on the job by students and gives them automatic credit towards their qualification.

A key recommendation of the Royal Commission into Aged Care was that aged care workers hold at least a relevant Certificate III level qualification, stating “Australia’s not-for-profit community education providers are the best situated to provide this training”.

It comes as demand surges for aged care professionals, with a report by the Committee for Economic Development of Australia (CEDA) warning the aged care skills shortage in Australia could reach 110,000 or more in the next decade and 400,000 by 2050.

Tumbarumba’s Deirdre Hulm, 66, has worked for Valmar for almost quarter of a century but hadn’t received a formal qualification since high school.

She said the TAFE NSW course, which involved teachers visiting her in the workplace to assess her current skill level, was a great way to benchmark her skills and knowledge against current standards.

“It was a great refresher and even though I’ve been in the industry a long time, you’re still always learning,” Mrs Hulm said.

“My TAFE NSW teacher was very flexible in accommodating me while I was also running a retail business and so supportive with some of the things I struggled with, like the computer side.

“I really love the oldies and love my job: I’m able to help my clients maintain their dignity and make a real difference in their lives.”

While aged care support workers aren’t required to have a formal qualification to work in the industry, Valmar CEO Melissa Clear said the service was committed to ensuring its workers had the latest industry skills and knowledge to ensure optimal care of clients.

“Valmar Support Services values our ongoing partnership with TAFE NSW, which has supported our training requirements through RPL and reduced our employee training time by minimising duplication of learning,” Ms Clear said. 

“This has allowed our employees to utilise their skills learnt in the field, and ensuring previous work skills are formally acknowledged.  With the program and partnership with TAFE NSW we have seen an increase in our staff’s motivation and interest in their roles while understanding and conforming with current aged care reform requirements.”

TAFE NSW aged care teacher Katherine Doyle said Recognition of Prior Learning was a powerful way to build on workers’ existing skills, even those who were experienced in the industry.

“It gives confidence to the client that they are being looked after by fully qualified staff and challenges the support workers to have a good look at their own practices,” Ms Doyle said.

“This is another example of how TAFE NSW is supporting the aged care industry by giving staff the latest industry-leading skills and knowledge to thrive.”

Media contact: Dan Johns, TAFE NSW Communications Specialist, Daniel.johns9@tafensw.edu.au, 0477 722 428