Inspire Education: Moulding tomorrow’s aged care workers

The aged care sector is a highly gratifying career for those who are passionate about helping others. If you’re thinking about developing your skills in a particular area in Australia’s aged care industry, there’s no better time to do so than today.

The World Health Organization projects that by 2050, the world’s population aged 60 years and older is expected to total two billion, up from 900 million in 2015. Countries such as Australia are also facing a critical shortage and massive demand for labour in the aged and disability care workforce.

Echoing this is Corinne Richards, Training Group Coordinator for the Community Services Training Team, Inspire Education. “We have a chronic shortage of trained and qualified aged care workers, and it’s going to get a lot worse,” she cautions.

A key takeaway, however, is that demand is expected to remain high while there are numerous career options in aged care to suit varied interests and personalities. Residential facilities, home support and community care are just some of the areas needing qualified care workers.

“Looking at the demographics of the current workers, they’ll be retiring in the next five to 10 years, so there’s going to be plenty of jobs. We have a responsibility to look after our older generation and vulnerable in our society,” says Richards.

High-quality support programmes that broaden your skillset

Inspire Education offers vocational training in a broad range of industries and is a respected training provider across Australia. They offer a wide range of healthcare and aged care courses that can help you advance your career in the community services industry, including Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing), Certificate IV in Ageing Support, Certificate III in Individual Support (Home and Community) and Certificate IV in Disability.

The Certificate IV in Individual Support (Ageing) is highly regarded by aged care facilities. It is ideal if you’re looking to gain additional skills in aged care to widen your job options, better position yourself for a promotion or to get jobs across a range of aged care, health services and community care facilities and organisations.

If you’re seeking to work in home care, or home and community organisations that provide care and services to persons in need in the community, then the Certificate III in Individual Support (Home and Community) course could be ideal.

This course will equip you with a range of essential skills to provide care services for a variety of people, including how to empower older people, provide home and community support services, and meet personal and individual needs of your clients. You will learn about health, the elderly and supporting people’s independence and wellbeing.

The Certificate IV in Disability is perfect if you’re seeking work, or wanting to gain advanced skills for more senior roles in disability care, health, and community organisations that provide services to people with disabilities.

Whether you’re in an entry-level or senior role in the sector, the course is ideal for those who work as a disability support worker, senior personal care assistant, residential care officer, or similar roles.

Quality online courses

Inspire Education’s qualifications are nationally recognised and accredited, serving as an assurance to students of its quality. There are also good student resources and quality course materials taught by a group of seasoned and passionate trainers with industry experience, committed to making a difference.

“Before I was an aged care and disability trainer, I worked in the industry for 22 years,” says Richards. “I continue to have links in the community, especially with vulnerable and at risk individuals. Not only does it help me to be a better trainer, but it’s also something I am deeply passionate about.”

Inspire Education’s aged care and disability courses are delivered online with supportive webinars and trainers to ensure learning is engaging and impactful. Their online courses are flexible enough for working professionals to study in their own time without taking time off from work.

“If someone’s already working and wants to change careers, they can study in their own time,” explains Richards. “If someone’s already in the industry and requires a qualification, they can work with us to attain recognition of prior learning.”

Students can enjoy a range of study options, be it via online study, self-paced learning, virtual workshops, live and pre-recorded webinars, as well as online and multi-device support so students can learn anywhere and anytime they want.

Moulding effective workers in the caring sector

To ensure students put theory into practice, all students undertake a vocational placement at an aged care home or facility for people living with disability while they’re studying. “During this time, they’ll be able to demonstrate their skills and receive valuable experience and feedback from their supervisors,” explains Richards. Their webinars are also developed by trainers who share key industry knowledge.

“Many of our students inform us that they’ve received an offer of employment from the provider they did their aged care or disability placement with. These are always great stories to hear,” she says.

Not all students enrol in their courses for their career. Some do so to get a better understanding of how to manage their own circumstances and provide the relevant care to their loved ones.

“If you’re committed to making a difference to our ageing population and our community, and genuinely have the wellbeing of our elderly generation at the centre of your mind, then make it happen! You’re the kind of person we need!” says Richards.

Find out more about Inspire Education here.