Since the rollout of the NDIS, we have seen an immense opportunity to tackle two issues that we face throughout the York and Mid North region – the need to attract people with the right skills and providing workers with meaningful career pathways. In 2018, RDA Yorke and Mid North implemented the ‘Skills to Support’ program with its aim to address high levels on unemployment and unqualified jobseekers in the region, in a sector that is facing significant workforce challenges and a growing demand for skilled workers. Throughout the program, we were successful in boosting candidates in the sector with 200 jobseekers accessing the program and 54 gaining employment in the past year alone. We are excited to announce that we have just received an extra $61,000 in funding to continue the program until July 2021, which will create more opportunities for employers in the care sector and jobseekers seeking a fulfilling career.
In a time where we have seen a great need to have a suitably skilled workforce in the disability and community care sector, the Skills to Support program offers a pathway to achieve this. It works with employment providers and determines candidate’s compatibility to work in the sector through an initial screening process. We then provide micro-credential training to ensure the candidates meet industry requirements that allow employment. As an expanding industry, this also ensures there is a pool of work ready people to meet current and future workforce needs.
We have been delivering this successful program across the region and have had many great outcomes. In March, we delivered the program in partnership with MADEC to three women of the Point Pearce First Nations Community. The women successfully completed the NDIS Quality & Safeguards Orientation Module along with Harrison Screening assessments and DHS clearances to work in the disability sector. These ladies are eager to work and help their community at Point Pearce and were referred to Baptcare for Job interviews. Since then, one has now commenced at the Maitland Hospital which demonstrates the success the program has on building skills to support.
If you would like to find out more about this program or are seeking a meaningful new career, please call Alan Zubrinich at our Port Pirie Office on 1300 742 414. By providing programs like this, we are able to build a regional workforce that is adaptable to the changing employment opportunities and builds on our economic diversity that shapes a positive future for all.
Kelly-Anne Saffin, CEO.