A new interactive map has been launched to assist Australian aged care providers to identify where there is a high demand for workforce training programs in China.
The Australian Trade and Investment Commission’s China Aged Care Training map provides an overview of needs and training gaps across several provinces in China, where demand for aged care services is increasing.
The map aims to assist Australian providers to get involved and offer their training services to support China’s aged care workforce.
Provinces on the map include Liaoning, Beijing, Shandong, Jiangsu, Shanghai, Sichuan, Hubei and Guangdong.
China needs 10 million aged care workers by 2020 to meet the needs of its ageing population, however there are currently less than 1 million employed in the sector and less than 20,000 aged care workers with vocational qualifications, according to Austrade.
There will be 248 million people in China aged 60 years and over by 2020, Austrade said.
The interactive map also includes a brief description on each province including its population, gross domestic product, characteristics and trends, shortage of aged care workers and the number of aged care facilities it has.
Opportunities for aged care training in China include programs for:
- train the trainer
- facility operation and management
- aged care workers, health professionals, specialists and managers
- dementia
- senior education curricula
- care workers
- service standards and rating systems
- rehabilitation
- service design and consultancy
- medical and aged care services integration
- elderly home re-design
- nutrition management
- accredited training systems
- medication management
Austrade has previously led aged care trade missions to China, which have highlighted the training capabilities of the Australian aged care sector.
Aged care peak Leading Age Services Australia CEO Sean Rooney said Australia had a highly skilled and experienced aged care workforce.
“Our ability as an industry to equip our workforce with diverse skills, knowledge and hands-on learning experiences is recognised internationally, particularly in Asia,” Mr Rooney told Australian Ageing Agenda.
“Our training and professional development, combined with quality service provision, focus on person-centred relationships, wellness, commitment to innovate and use assistive technology, places Australia as a leader that is setting the standard for other countries,” Mr Rooney said.
In September 2018, LASA initiated the Ageing Australasia Working Group in response to its members and affiliates who are involved with Asia’s aged care industry, Mr Rooney said.
“The delivery of training has been identified as a key area of focus for the group,” he said.
Austrade Chengdu and Austrade China International Health team leader Tim White said the Chinese aged care workforce would benefit from training from Australia.
“Australian education and training organisations are well-positioned to help China address its pressing need for education, training and skills development in this fast-growing sector,” Mr White said.
Access the interactive map here.
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