New short course to upskill aged care and disability workers

Vital funding for TAFE and some specialist private training providers to roll out new training for the State’s aged care and disability sectors has been announced

The new COVID-19 Direct Care Skill Set will increase the number of skilled workers in the aged care and disability sectors able to care for people and minimise the risk of exposure to an infectious disease. It will also provide skills for workers such as cleaners and social support workers, to operate safely and shift into other critical roles.

As part of the course, students will learn about the basis of infection from viruses to bacteria as well as modes of transmission, infection prevention and control - including the correct use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and handling contaminated waste. Training will be delivered mostly online and where safe, face-to-face training will occur in a simulated environment. Completion of this course will count towards a Certificate III in Individual Support qualification, for students who want to continue their training in the future and receive the full qualification.

Aged care and disability service providers identified a high demand for training needed for up to 2,000 people to prevent short-term gaps emerging for key frontline workers. WA’s vocational education and training sector, spearheaded by the Community Services, Health and Education Training Council, has co-designed the skill set with employers to meet their requirements.
 

 


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Page last updated February 09, 2024