A new facility to recruit and train home care workers has opened in south-west Sydney.
Located in Bankstown – and operated by community-based, not-for-profit organisation Settlement Services International – the Home Care Experience Centre will also offer assistance to providers with their hiring and retention strategies.
The centre is part of SSI’s delivery of the government-funded Home Care Workforce Support Program in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory.
Iggy Pintado – head of SSI’s home care workforce support program – said the aim of the new facility is to help alleviate the skills shortages and high staff turnover rates impacting the care sector.
“Our goal with the experience centre is to bridge any gaps and help fast-track the recruitment process, which we know is fundamental to overcoming the workforce shortages in the sector.”
Mr Pintado said, by offering people in-person support, the centre will remove barriers that currently hinder the ability of potential employees to join the home care workforce.
“We get talent ready for employment, help them with everything from preparing their resumes to getting access to computers and internet, to applying for roles. We also conduct non-accredited courses and first-aid training.”
The centre has also been built with home care providers in mind, said Mr Pintado. “Many of our partners have expressed to us the need for a hub where they can onboard new workers and facilitate skills development for both new and existing staff.”
Home care providers enrolled in the HCWSP can participate in career forums held at the centre where they will be able to connect in-person with potential employees.
The hub will also host mentoring and training sessions with the aim of upskilling existing home care workers. “High turnover is another widespread issue affecting the sector,” said Mr Pintado. “The solution is to foster career development by upskilling support workers so that they can unlock the range of growth opportunities available in home aged care.”
In the coming months, SSI will also be establishing a second home care experience hub in the ACT.
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