The Commonwealth Department of Employment and Workplace Relations has introduced Jobs and Skills Councils (JSCs) to ensure that Australia's vocational education and training (VET) sector delivers optimal outcomes for both learners and employers. These councils bring together employers, unions, and governments to tackle skills and workforce challenges through a collaborative, industry-led approach.

JSCs are not-for-profit entities that are both owned and led by industry. Part of a national network of ten JSCs, they provide leadership to address skills and workforce challenges within their specific sectors. The key responsibilities of JSCs include identifying skills and workforce needs, mapping career pathways, developing contemporary VET training products, fostering collaboration between industry and training providers, and serving as a source of industry intelligence.

HumanAbility and Allied Health Assistance Workforce

HumanAbility is the JSC dedicated to industries that provide community services and support, such as aged care, disability services, mental health, early childhood education, health, and sport and recreation services. As the JSC for the Allied Health Assistance workforce, HumanAbility plays a crucial role in ensuring workforce plans and qualifications are responsive to the needs of both employers and employees.

HumanAbility Roadshows 2024

Since February 20, HumanAbility has been touring across Australia, visiting every capital city and numerous regional locations. The roadshow aims to engage with industry leaders, specialists, managers, and educators in the care and support sectors. This presents a prime opportunity for members of the AHANA to contribute to shaping the future of their workforce.

Key Activities and Opportunities for AHANA Members

During the roadshow events, AHANA members can:

• Provide insights on workforce and training challenges and opportunities within their industry.
• Participate in sector-specific breakout sessions to inform workforce planning and the development of training packages.
• Contribute to discussions that highlight emerging cross-cutting themes.

At the Darwin forum, Tara Intarapanya, representing AHANA, provided valuable feedback. She emphasised that although AHAs primarily fall under the health sector, their work spans across various industries represented by HumanAbility, including education, disability, aged care, and sport and recreation.

Tara also raised several critical points:

• Employers are increasingly asking students to pay for their placements.
• There is a mismatch between certificate requirements, funding streams, and workplace expectations, particularly within the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
• There is a need for more robust core courses applicable across various certificates, such as Reflective Practice, Palliative Care, and Developmental Psychology.

Furthermore, Tara met with Yvonne Webb, Training Products Project Manager for HumanAbility, who expressed interest in understanding AHANA’s connection to HumanAbility's review process.

Stay Updated and Get Involved

To stay informed about HumanAbility’s activities and how you can get involved, join the HumanAbility Partners Program. This initiative offers ongoing opportunities to shape the future of the Allied Health Assistance workforce and ensure that training and workforce development align with industry needs.

For more information and to join the HumanAbility Partners Program, visit the HumanAbility website.