Some aged care providers are now offering traineeships in partnership with TAFE NSW in a bid to attract more staff.

“The message is simple: we need new workers and we are happy to train you,” BaptistCare Senior Learning and Development Consultant Kerry Martin said.

“Traineeships in residential aged care and home care are ideal because new workers can start immediately and undertake on-the-job training while completing their studies at TAFE NSW. Our trainees have the security of knowing they will graduate as qualified care workers with a guaranteed job. We encourage anyone with a caring nature to think seriously about a career in aged care.”

Tanya Ziermann, who is an educator at TAFE Kingswood and a Registered Nurse, said she was teaching the unskilled workers employed by aged care providers to attain the nationally recognised Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing) in nine months.

“We meet once a week, via video conferencing, and there has to be a minimum of 12 trainees. The aged care providers, I have BaptistCare, it is supporting them, providing flexible working arrangements if they have a family and it is training them for the Certificate III,” she said.

BaptistCare said 13 trainees have completed their Certificate III qualification in the Residential Aged Care and 12 trainees have completed, with another 10 studying  in Home Care.  A new group will start their traineeship next month.