Cultural diversity is increasing in the aged care workforce. There is concurrent growth in the number of students from non-English speaking backgrounds undertaking Vocational Education and Training in order to participate in the sector.

In 2011 the SA Health and Community Services Skills Board led a comprehensive project to:

·         Explore the challenges for training providers working with learners from CALD backgrounds seeking to enter the aged care sector,

·         Strengthen the skills of training providers in relation to the development of English language proficiency and cultural understanding, and

·         Promote the learning from the project and develop recommendations for the future.

Over 70 interviews were conducted with the training and aged care providers, the student/graduate cohort and other stakeholders.

Outcomes from the project included a comprehensive report with recommendations for future exploration or activity , and a resource pack for training providers which includes information sheets , examples of innovation used by training providers or employers and a booklet capturing stories as told by students and graduates.

We are currently upgrading our website and intend to make all of the Effective Transitions Resource Pack available online in the near future.

For more information visit info@sahcssb.com.au