East Gippsland Institute of TAFE and Gippsland Lakes Community Health Service

An award-winning customised program developed by East Gippsland Institute is delivering a triple Certificate III traineeship program to health care workers employed by Gippsland Lakes Community Health Service (GLCH).

East Gippsland has a high proportion of older people, so there is a growing demand for highly skilled staff, according to Leah McFadzean, Executive Manager Aged Care Services with GLCH.

"We engaged with seven stakeholder groups, including local training, apprenticeship and job network agencies, and this partnership approach supports emerging client need by aligning course content with on the job experience and client demand," Ms McFadzean said.

"It also ensures that service delivery, community and individual staff needs are met, and a learning culture is embedded in the organisation."

About 60 participants have now gained Certificate III in Home and Community Care, with additional units from Certificate III in Disability and in Aged Care, according to Anne Eager, Learning Manager, Aged Care Studies at East Gippsland TAFE.

"Disability and aged care are very closely related, so this training delivers much more professional workers with a far greater knowledge base."

The program won a 2008 Victorian Community Services and Health Industry Training Award in the 'Employer Achievement in Creating a Learning Culture' category.

More TAFE industry partnerships.