A local training organisation says it’s crucial the next generation of workers are skilled in jobs that need to be filled, amid projections one in four people will need to work in health care and social assistance by 2025.
Connect ‘n’ Grow general manager Gary Birmingham said it was important to inform students, parents and teachers about the opportunities within the sector.
He said secondary school students had the chance to get “a head start”.
“Vocational education allows for a head start with courses starting from year 10 and can provide pathways for a tertiary degree such as dentistry, nursing, medicine, pharmacy,” he said.
“But it can also offer career options in child or aged care, paramedics and medical technicians among others.”
The latest industry projections from the Labour Market Portal for the Health Care and Social Assistance sector showed that one in four people will need to work in the sector to support Australians, with a 14.2% increase in jobs by 2025.
Mr Birmingham said the demand for more health care workers was driven by Australia’s population growth and people living longer.
“That’s why we’re doing programs like we are, with schools,” he said.
“Basically, we need one in four kids coming out of school, or people who are looking to re-enter the workforce and can re-skill, to seriously consider a career in health and social services.
“Otherwise, we’re just not going to meet that demand.”
He said the pandemic reinforced how valuable health care workers are.
“It has helped people realise the importance of health care workers and it’s helped put a spotlight on the industry.”
And it’s not just traditional health care jobs, like doctors and nurses, that are needed.
“There’s still significant growth required in those areas, but there’s such a wide span of jobs,” he said.
“If you look at a hospital, it is almost a mini community, that includes hospitality workers, carpenters, electricians and more.
“And there is growth in the age sector. We’re starting to see more (workers) in people’s homes and in aged care (facilities).
“There is demand for all of those services … and vocational education has got to play a huge party in that.
“There are heaps of jobs and opportunities that students aren’t really aware of and undertaking that vocational training in school can really help highlight the different roles that are out there.
“It’s a fantastic pathway … and we’ve got kids who do the pathway and go to university and when they get there, they already have skills and knowledge, which has really set them up.”
Mr Birmingham said there was some momentum.
“We’ve seen a growth in the number of students who are interested in health care … and also from adult learners who are looking to re-enter the workforce.”
“I think COVID has certainly helped people realise it is a robust industry. The jobs in health care are there, they are solid, and they are growing.”
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Many schools on the Sunshine Coast already already have platforms for health care studies, including the likes of Coolum State High.
“They have a really good health hub there,” Mr Birmingham said.
“They’re doing some great stuff and are about to start running their Assistant in Nursing program.”
Connect ‘n’ Grow is a training provider on the Sunshine Coast that provides Health and Social Services education and training to schools, workplaces, and individuals.
More information on Connect ‘n’ Grow here.
