Online forum targets young leaders in aged care
Young leaders in aged care are coming together to continue their dirve for change in the aged care sector.
A new online initiative is bringing young leaders in aged care together to help empower them to be the drivers of change.
The young leaders’ initiative from provider peak body Leading Age Services Australia is celebrating this cohort of the aged care workforce through an online forum later this month.
The LASA Next Gen Forum aims to provide young leaders a platform to meet and share learnings with their peers on how to continue driving change in the aged care sector.
LASA Next Gen principal advisor Samantha Bowen called on all current and future daring young leaders to join the forum.
“We need to make sure young people understand they can be empowered through the many job choices in aged care and they can be drivers of change,” Ms Bowen told Australian Ageing Agenda.
“With well-known sector workforce challenges being exacerbated over the past few months during the COVID-19 challenges, now is our opportunity to acknowledge and support our next generation of leaders in age services.”
Young people are needed to join with older workers and seniors to achieve the transformation that is required as identified by the aged care royal commission and other, she said.
The LASA Next Gen Forum is a half-day gathering created by young leaders for young leaders with panel sessions, presenters and networking opportunities.
It provides a national space to connect with other young leaders about how they are navigating obstacles to ensure they have the support and resources needed to excel, Ms Bowen said.
“This event gives young leaders an opportunity to reflect on their future and the ongoing changes our sector needs to deliver on our mission,” she said.
In addition to Ms Bowen, young leaders presenting at the forum include:
- Healthcare Australia general manager Jeremy Kestenberg
- ECHO Community Services lead scheduler Hadja Sow
- Churches of Christ in Qld practice lead John Sisson
- Benevolent Living marketing and communications manager Jamie Langdon
- Aged care physiotherapist and Guide Healthcare managing director Simon Kerrigan
- Physiotherapist and regional lead at Xtra AgedCare Tom Gray
Ms Bowen said the aged care sector has a wide variety of jobs and will need to triple in size over the next 30 years.
“We are challenging stereotypes and helping young people see age services as a growing set of dynamic and innovative careers.
“Young age services professionals will be front and centre of a better future for older Australians. It’s time to ensure we are all daring for a better ageing future.”
LASA Next Gen Forum takes place on 28 May.
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