The Australian Industry and Skills Committee (AISC) has today confirmed the Chair and Deputy Chair of the Aged Services Industry Reference Committee (IRC).
The Aged Services IRC will be chaired by Mr Ian Hardy AM, Chief Executive, Helping Hand Aged Care. Mr Hardy will be supported by Mr Robert Bonner, Director, Operations and Strategy, Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation as Deputy Chair.
AISC Chair, Professor John Pollaers OAM, welcomed Mr Hardy and Mr Bonner to their roles, saying the Aged Services IRC has a broad remit to look at qualifications across all sectors that support aged care consumers.
"While skills underpinning the provision of quality, individualised care is paramount, the aged services sector is much broader. The Aged Services IRC will consider areas as diverse as nutrition, recreation and financial services, ensuring that the workforce is properly equipped and supported, and has access to lifelong learning and meaningful career paths."
"It is important that this IRC responds to the broader skill sets needed to ensure all industries have the workforce capabilities to support older Australians," Professor Pollaers said.
The AISC has received unprecedented interest from organisations and individuals wanting to be involved in, and support, the work of the IRC.
Ten advisory groups to the IRC, focusing on specific areas, have been confirmed to date: Consumer Needs and Expectations, Residential Care, Home Care and Community Care, Indigenous and Remote Services, Diversity and Inclusion, Dementia, Palliative Care, Mental Health, Nutrition and the Mealtime Experience, and Pathways and Tertiary Education.
Calls for membership for these advisory groups will occur in due course. The IRC may also establish additional technical advisory groups in special interest areas as its work progresses.
The AISC invites individuals and organisations to register their interest in participating in an advisory commitee, or to be included in consultations. Information on how to register is available here.