Training and professional development is essential for helping village managers to balance time and workloads, according to Nadine White, General Manager Retirement Villages and Sales at West Australian provider Bethanie.

“The role of the village manager has changed from the historical caretaker role to a village professional,” said Ms White.

“Working smart minimises the workload for a village manager and frees them up to engage more positively with the residents.  When you understand your role, purpose and expectations the workload becomes less of a burden.  Our belief is that, unless you are trained appropriately and have to the tools to do your role, you will always struggle to manage the workload effectively.  Learning and networking with your peers is also invaluable.  As a team we need to support each other and build those relationships across the sector.”

Bethanie is among the many major operators who use the professional development program DCM Institute.

“Most of the team complete training in their own time and many have watched some topics over a few times as they felt each time they picked up something new. The topics allow for team discussions or across the villages on best practice or resources that one village may be able to share with another.  Engaging our staff in the DCMI training has certainly broken down the perceived walls and isolation that some may feel in a village, ” said Ms White.

Read more about professional development and training in the sector in a bumper edition of  SATURDAY, the premium digital magazine for aged care and retirement living executives.