More indigenous aged care and primary health care workers for remote communities
Mark Butler
posted Thursday, 2 February 2012
Eighty three Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander aged and primary health care trainees from the Indigenous Remote Service Delivery Traineeship Program have completed training with new, nationally recognised qualifications in business and management.
The Gillard Government is providing $15.7 million to support 240 trainees under the Indigenous Remote Service Delivery Program.
Mr Butler said that the new qualifications will help the 83 trainees gain employment in aged care and primary health care services in their own communities.
“These residential traineeships help overcome the barriers to employment and training in remote areas commonly faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. They also assist Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to access the aged care services they need in a culturally appropriate setting.
“Apart from providing relevant training, the great value of this program is the opportunity for trainees to share experiences, develop networks and link with other participants in similar roles from around the country. “
The Indigenous Remote Service Delivery Program provides funding for trainees’ wages and on-costs, and covers accommodation and travel expenses associated with their training.
A second round of 60 trainees commenced their training at the end of 2011.
The success of the Indigenous Remote Service Delivery Program complements other initiatives put in place by the Gillard Government to support the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander aged care and primary health care workforce.
These initiatives include Building an Indigenous Workforce in Community Care; the Northern Territory Jobs Package; the Cape York Welfare Reform Trial; the National Jobs Creation Package; and the Torres Strait Islands Jobs Package.
Together, these programs have delivered more than 700 permanent part-time positions in services delivering home and community care, community aged care programs and flexible aged care services.
Tags: Indigenous, Trades, Training