Prominent figures from the aged care sector have been appointed to the new industry reference group announced by the federal government to review skills and qualifications for the future workforce.
Warrigal CEO Mark Sewell will join outgoing Helping Hand CEO Ian Hardy, who has announced his intention to retire at the end of the year, and Ross Johnston of Regis Aged Care as representatives of the three peak industry groups.
Juniper Chief Executive Chris Hall will represent the remote work force while Sonya Smart from Villa Maria Catholic Homes will provide a voice for independent/aligned care.
Aged care minister Ken Wyatt and minister for skills and vocational training Michaelia Cash announced the Aged Care Services Industry Reference Committee on Wednesday in response to Professor John Pollaers’ aged care workforce report which was handed down in September.
The report called for a tripling of the workforce to 1 million by 2050 and contained a number of recommendations to ensure Australia’s future needs were met, including the establishment of an industry reference group to oversee skills, training and qualifications.
Final membership of the 21-strong committee was announced on Thursday. It also includes representatives from health, nursing and allied professions, palliative care, mental health, assistive technology, carers, consumers, unions and tertiary education.
ACSA has welcomed the appointment of the group and endorsed the IRC’s mission to consider the competencies and skills needed by the nation’s aged care workforce in the years ahead.
CEO Pat Sparrow said ACSA would work closely with the IRC to help it meet its objectives.
“I look forward to this Committee making a valuable contribution to tackling that challenge of skilling and resourcing the aged care workforce into the future,” she said in a statement.
IRC industry representatives:
- ACSA: Mark Sewell
- LASA: Ian Hardy
- Aged Care Guild: Ross Johnston
- Remote work force: Chris Hall (Juniper)
- Independent/aligned aged care: Sonya Smart (Villa Maria Catholic Homes)
Read more about the taskforce here.
It is most interesting watching the smoke and mirrors approach of the government. We have a government training system, TAFE sending out workers with Cert 3,4, recreational certificate. Surely the home work has been done in regards to knowing what skills are needed or do these training course contain nothing the industry really needs?