Industry council appoints CEO

The workforce industry council has announced former public servant Louise O’Neill will spearhead the delivery of the Aged Care Workforce Strategy as the council’s newly appointed inaugural chief executive officer.

 The Aged Care Workforce Industry Council was established in May last year by the aged care provider peaks to oversee the implementation of the workforce strategy A Matter of Care (read more here).

Ms O’Neill has over 18 years of experience in the Australian Public Sector working across disability, aged care, health, Indigenous and communications portfolios. 

As head of the council she will facilitate the delivery of the strategy over the next three years.

Ms O’Neill said she believed strongly in the 14 Strategic Outcomes of the strategy.

“I am thrilled to be able to utilise my experience towards delivering measures that will enable significant improvements for the aged care sector’s workforce and in turn for those receiving care and their families.”

Ms O’Neill appointment was funded with Government support and means the council can accelerate its work over the next three years, said Aged Care Workforce Industry Council acting chair Kevin McCoy.

“The role of the CEO is pivotal to the ability of the council to implement a program of change,” said Mr McCoy, CEO of Independent and Assisted Living at Australian Unity.

“The position is essential in setting the council up to develop strategies that align with council’s vision and goals, overseeing operational and financial performance and enabling effective liaison and engagement with key stakeholders.

“We believe Ms O’Neill is a great fit for this role with her extensive government experience within the health and disability sector as well as her stakeholder engagement and communications abilities.”

She will continue the work already underway in progressing the strategic actions. That includes:

• the Voluntary Industry Code of Practice
• workforce planning
• assessment and development of online training curriculum
• supporting the establishment of the Centre for Growth and Translational Research
• the first industry workforce study, conducted in collaboration with the Department of Health and Best Practice Australia.

This story first ran in Australian Ageing Agenda.

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