Greater compassion and safer, person-centred care for those who need it most is the focus of an Australian Catholic University initiative to build capacity for new aged care workers.
ACU will receive a $239,864 TAFE applied research grant to deliver flexible, additional training for new workers in the aged care sector which already employs more than 450,000 Australians.
Established under Queensland's TAFE Centres of Excellence Health Care and Support, the injection will strengthen ACU's aim to improve care quality, worker retention and resilience, and inform national workforce strategies.
ACU Professor of Healthy Ageing Laurie Buys welcomed the funding as part of the university's commitment to ensuring Queenslanders studying in Aged Care at TAFE Queensland can access the training they need for secure, meaningful employment in Aged Care.
"Aged care is one of Australia's most critical workforce areas, and improving communication skills is fundamental to delivering safe, compassionate and person-centred care," Professor Buys.
"This partnership with TAFE Queensland allows us to harness research, teaching expertise and community collaboration to support learners, from vocational students to university graduates, so they are prepared for working in aged care settings."
The grant was one of four successful research projects awarded almost $1.3 million.
Funding will drive the development of innovative training that tackles industry challenges, supporting the Centre to share best practice teaching and learning with TAFEs nationwide, strengthening the vocational education and training system for the benefit of all Australians.
Professor Buys said ACU's Healthy Ageing initiative had already made a difference in how health and aged care workers are trained.
"Students complete real-world vocational placements often involving early mornings, late nights and weekend work," she said. "This research ensures the training and support they receive is the best possible preparation for a rewarding career in aged care."
"This research project will help ensure training is not only evidence-informed but culturally appropriate, accessible and tailored to the needs of regional, rural and remote communities across Queensland."
