An innovative traineeship scheme is underway at Uniting AgeWell Strath-Haven Community in Bendigo with six trainees joining the staff.
Uniting AgeWell has partnered with WomenCAN and this initiative is part of the Placement Circle ‘Earn and Learn’ program. The charitable organisation enables women to reconnect with the workforce by helping them build confidence, connections and work capability. And the Placement Circle guides women through peer-supported vocational training and onto place-based jobs.
Strath-Haven Community is a pilot site for the program, and Residential Services Manager Kate Jackson reports that the six trainees started on Monday 13 February and will study while working at the site for a year.
Kate says this operates much like a traditional “apprenticeship scheme” and she has implemented a buddy system which will be in place for the first six weeks at least. This is where full time Personal Care Workers (PCWs) will buddy up with the trainees and mentor them.
“We’ve got up to 13 PCWs rostered to buddy up with the trainees at different stages,” says Kate. “And already it is working very well. The trainees gain confidence and learn on the job while the PCWs take huge pride in their buddy’s work and are already thoroughly enjoy teaching them.”
The situation is a win-win all round. “It is by teaching that you learn more,” explains Kate. “And it is wonderful for our dedicated PCWs to be able to pass on the very valuable skills and knowledge that they have.”
Kate is also incredibly impressed with the calibre of trainees. “We had a morning tea to welcome them, and they were all enthusiastic and energised about the placement. They come from different backgrounds and are different ages, but they all share a passion for aged care and want a career that has meaning for them. The staff and the residents are delighted they have joined us.”
Kristy Rebecca, Health, Safety & Wellbeing Director, People and Culture, says this initiative is a great way for Uniting AgeWell to recruit more staff.
“These trainees will have been trained-up in the Uniting AgeWell approach, they will know how we work and know our values and priorities,” says Kristy. “So it’s a wonderful opportunity for us to employ tried and trusted workers who we feel confident will be able to grow and develop into our fulltime workforce with ease.”
Learn more about careers with Uniting AgeWell