Indigenous traineeships promote aged care careers

Nine Aboriginal people in NSW’s Hunter region have begun new careers in aged care thanks to a 12-month traineeship program conducted by the Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care (DADHC).

All of the trainees have obtained the Certificate III in Aged Care along with their NSW provisional driver’s licences.

An Indigenous driving school based in the Hunter provided the driving instruction.

The trainees were given employment and work experience placements through DADHC’s Aboriginal Home Care branch while they undertook their TAFE and driver training.

The state’s Disability Services Minister, Paul Lynch said that as well as equipping and training indigenous people to work in Aboriginal Home Care, the program had provided less tangible benefits.

“Participants have grown in confidence and self-esteem, with many of them reporting the program has had a life-changing impact on their current situation and on their futures,” he said.

“They are now in a better position to contribute to their families and communities and to the delivery of culturally responsive services to elderly and disabled Aboriginal people in home or residential care,” he said.

The minister added that difficulties in obtaining a licence had been identified as a significant impediment to Aboriginal people accessing employment.

“This program has played a significant role in changing that,” he said.

A graduation ceremony for the trainees will be held next month at Newcastle’s Customs House Restaurant.