TasTAFE and TasCOSS providing vital training
Published on: 09 Sep 2022
TasTAFE is helping to train more Trainers and Assessors to work in the state’s growing community services industry through a partnership with the Tasmanian Council of Social Services. (TasCOSS).
TasTAFE partnered with TasCOSS to deliver a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment program to candidates from the social services, disability, aged care and education and care sectors.
This workforce development initiative is a key initiative within the Tasmanian Community Services Plan 2021-31 and part of the Local People into Local Jobs initiative which is supported by the Tasmanian Government through the Department for State Growth.
TasTAFE is a critical partner of the Industry Plan along with the delivery of the projects under the priority area of ‘workforce development and training.
A key element of the Project is supporting up to 120 Tasmanians currently working in the industry to receive their Certificate IV in Training and Assessment.
TasCOSS and TasTAFE worked together to develop fit-for-purpose training.
“TasTAFE is very excited to be working with TasCOSS in supporting industry-current Tasmanian community industry workers to obtain their training and assessment qualification,” TasTAFE Manager Industry Relationships & Business Growth Matthew Dance said.
On 27 July 2022, the first 35 of the 120 students began their training. One of these participants was Christine O’Keefe.
Christine is a Scheduling Program Coordinator at Anglicare Tasmania and she is currently coordinating a Certificate III program to upskill Anglicare’s homecare workers to become homecare trainees.
Christine has a strong passion for aged care and was referred to the program by her Aged Care Manager who encouraged her to take part.
“(The program) has been great. Everyone has been so welcoming, my peers have been so great. Ever since I’ve started (at TasTAFE) there’s always been help and support on hand,” Christine said.
As well as aged care, program participants come from a wide spectrum of social services areas such as disability, homelessness, aboriginal health and mental health services to name just a few.
TasCOSS CEO, Adrienne Picone said the TAE program was vital to the future sustainability of the Tasmanian community services industry, which is the fastest growing industry in the state.
“The community services industry currently employs 17,800 people and needs an additional 4000 more workers to meet increasing demand for services by 2024,” Ms Picone said.
“With the requirement of another 4000 workers in the next two years, qualified trainers are urgently needed to ensure we have the skilled workers available, which is where the TAE program comes in.”
“The students undertaking the Certificate IV in Training and Assessment are making a real difference and directly helping to address our industry’s critical workforce shortage.”
“It’s wonderful to see those already working in the industry put their hand up to support and train our future workforce.”
Mr Dance said the program will go a long way to addressing an important need in the state.
“As an organisation, TasTAFE recognises the challenges faced in attracting and recruiting trainers from priority industries – including the Tasmanian community services sectors,” Mr Dance said.
“We look forward to continuing our partnership approach with TasCOSS in building the capacity of this fast-growing sector.”