In a report by the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) about individual support and community care training in Australia, researchers found that the Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing) was the most common qualification for new entrants to the aged and community care industry. ASQA, 2012 With the number of Australians aged 85 years and over projected to increase from 0.4 million in 2010 to 1.8 million (or some 5.1% of the population) by 2050 – resulting in a significantly high demand for well-trained individual support and community care workers, individual support and community training has never been so important.
The care of older Australians across a range of industries is a very diverse, and complex branch of health care, leading to a variety of formal training courses and qualifications. Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing), the most common qualification for new students within aged care, is a step toward gaining the correct skills, knowledge and practical training required to work within one of the many rapidly growing areas of aged care. If you are student interested in beginning a career in individual support, check out the 5 reasons why professional training in aged care is so important:
It’s a Requirement
To work as a personal care giver within the Australian aged care industry, you are required to have, or must be prepared to undertake Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing). Certificate III qualification in Individual Support (Ageing) provides a great starting point for students looking to gain the practical skills and knowledge required to work in aged care sector, and a rudimentary understanding of what their day-to-day responsibilities will be. Students enrolled in this course will also be required to undertake a vocational training placement. Vocational placement refers to a student’s practical training and experience in a professional setting, and is regarded as a highly effective training method.
If you are a student interested in beginning a rewarding career in individual support, a vocational training course such as Certificate III in Individual Support will teach you how to assist elderly clients with their personal care needs, follow individualised support plans, facilitate the empowerment of older people and so much more. For more Certificate III in Individual Support course information including start dates, course duration and study fees click here.
Gain Real Life Experience
When you enrol to study Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing), you are required to complete at least 120 hours of Vocational Placement. Undertaking Vocational Placement means you’ll be placed in a professional workplace to receive practical, hands-on training from professionals in the aged care industry. This unique, practical training method aims to equip students with competitive skills and industry standard experience which can be immediately applied to the workforce. Vocational Training in Individual Support typically focuses on training students how to perform the tasks that would be required of them in the workforce. The experience with the placement provider will:
Vocational placement learning outcomes for students studying Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing)
By undertaking Vocational Placement as part of their studies, students gain an understanding of their roles and responsibilities as a professional care worker, and are instantly put in an advantageous position. This is because when students start looking for full-time work, employers trust their level of skill and knowledge, having already put their theory of their individual support training to the test.
Increased Employment Opportunities
Undertaking professional training in individual support with Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing) will increase your employment opportunities in aged care greatly. Graduating with a Nationally-Recognised qualification in individual support can boost you to the top of any Recruiter’s hiring list. Having a formal qualification helps you stand out from your competitors and shows potential employees you are trained and have the capabilities to step into the role of a professional personal care worker in any residential care or community care facility.
A report by the Adzuna found that jobs there were 8,403 aged care job vacancies per month in Australia; and that the top 5 companies hiring for aged care positions included Healthcare Australia, Opal Aged Care, RSL Care, Southern Cross Care and Uniting Church. Aged Care Job Report, Adzuna, 2016. To keep up with this increased job demand, the Australian labour force market is in need of well-trained and well-qualified personal care workers. Having a formal qualification in individual support shows you are professional trained, and job ready – increasing your employment opportunities.
Industry Edge
At Queensford College, our industry experienced trainers are experts within the aged care and community care sector. Our continued success in delivering high quality training outcomes to individuals interested in kick-starting career in individual support, stems from our core philosophy of only sourcing trainers who have expert knowledge and a depth knowledge of real-world experience in individual support.
Students enrolled in Certificate III in Individual Support will have a team of qualified individual support educators and trainers, striving to create the best possible education and learning outcomes possible to each student. For students, this also provides the opportunity to be mentored by individual support and community care expert trainers with current and practical experience. For an industry edge, students are encouraged to liaise with expert trainers for advice and guidance, or for any other assistance as they need.
Pathways to Higher Learning
Students who have completed Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing), will then have the opportunity to complete Certificate IV in Ageing Support to build upon their skills and knowledge in working with elderly Australians. Students who choose to progress to higher level qualifications within the aged care sector and community care sector have the opportunity to move into more senior level roles and increase their earning potential. Pursuing higher learning opens the doors to a range of different positions within the aged care industry such as: Aged Care Activity Worker, Care Service Team Leader, Service Coordinator or a Care Supervisor (Aged Care). Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing) is a great entry-level qualification that aged care workers can then later use as a stepping stone to higher learning in this extremely rewarding industry.
Enjoy helping those in need? Begin a rewarding, life-long career in Aged Care with a Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing). For more information, email us at info@queensford.edu.au. Or if you prefer to speak to a Course Advisor, call us on 1300 236 364.
