4 minute read
Alino Living embarks on innovative new workforce program
A PARTNERSHIP WITH A LOCAL RTO IS MAKING A BIG DIFFERENCE
While the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the selfless work of our aged care workers, it has also brought with it huge workforce issues and highlighted the inadequacies of the system.
Newly merged aged care provider Alino Living is taking matters into its own hands by embarking on a new approach to recruitment. Partnering with a local Registered Training Organisation, Alino Living is building its own training and workforce program to attract suitable aged care workers.
Executive Care Manager of Alino Living, Melinda De Luca, said that the program developed with ET Australia is an innovative workforce solution that aims to address the attraction and retention of aged care staff.
“As a large independent aged care provider on the NSW Central Coast, we have come to realise that the issue of recruitment in aged care is not going to be solved quickly. We have therefore partnered with a reputable local training organisation, ET Australia, to develop a program that assists with ongoing training and development of staff,” explained Melinda. “We see another major issue for our sector is the attraction of aged care workers from a young age. The industry is not appealing to trainees or those considering aged care as a career and this program aims to promote opportunities, while also helping them develop their skills at the same time as they work with us,” said Melinda.
“Aged care has wonderful prospects for long-term career growth and there is never going to be a shortage of jobs in our industry. But what we are finding is candidates are applying for jobs with no training or certification, so with ET Australia, we can take them on board and support them on this journey of advancing their skills.”
“Investing in our workforce is a major priority as Australians continue to age. A shortage of skilled workers lies at the heart of the problem, so this is our way of developing a solution that supports the upskilling and training of staff across care, allied health and nursing—both now and well into the future.”
Working with ET Australia, Alino Living has created a program that includes pre-traineeships, traineeships and a dedicated aged care readiness employment program. This program will buffer the organisation’s current recruitment process and offer a combination of theoretical training, work placement and traineeships for entry level job vacancies. Alino Living employee, Jess Dunstan, has worked at the Killarney Court aged care home for two years and is currently completing her Certificate IV in Ageing Support through ET Australia. Continued on page 40 39
Continued from page 39
The collaboration between ET Australia and Alino living ensures candidates are well supported between the two organisations and this new partnership is already proving beneficial. “Our Aged Care Employment Program was specifically designed to benefit our organisation as our team works across multiple sites. ET Australia recruit suitable applicants to commence a Certificate III in Individual Support. Course content is provided on-site and work placement is offered. From this pool, suitable applicants can be employed based on performance during work placement and their passion to continue,” said Melinda.
“For the pre-traineeship program, new applicants are introduced to the role of an aged care facility carer and choose modules from the Certificate III in Individual Support. This ensures interested candidates can test their own suitability to the industry, prior to making a decision on commencing a traineeship with Alino Living.
“For our 12-month traineeships, staff work towards the Certificate III while also obtaining on-the-job skills, role exposure and competency to work independently.”
Aged care workers are not easily replaced, and the education and training of highly skilled workforce is a substantial investment in quality care. This is why aged care providers must ensure they have strategies to support and promote staff as well as look into innovative ways to recruit more workers.
“We have already seen the value of this program with Alino Living driving change by committing to above trainee award wages. We understand the rise in cost-of-living expenses, and we want to ensure we are committing ourselves to hiring the best,” added Melinda.
“We can’t sit back and hope that the Government makes a change for the entire sector. As an independent provider we have had to look at pioneering ways to create our own change.
“This partnership is a step toward the goal of attracting and retaining staff that see the benefits of a long-term career in our industry, and they need to value the work that is required to support residents within our care.”
Alino Living currently has seven trainees and 13 students in its Employment Program, with more candidates on-boarding each month.
Greg Williams and Justin Dover are Co-CEOs, Alino Living. For more information visit www.alinoliving.com.au
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