PesCare Forges New Pathways to Aged Care Careers

In Maryborough today, PresCare and Riverside Christian College signed an agreement to help overcome one of the biggest challenges facing regional aged care providers – staffing.

The agreement comes as Riverside Christian College works towards a partnership with TAFE Queensland which, once finalised, will see the state’s largest and most trusted training provider deliver quality hands-on training to their students.

Together, the trio will establish ‘Health Hub’, an innovative program offering students practical training and accredited qualifications at PresCare’s two Maryborough communities – Groundwater Lodge and Yaralla Place.

PresCare is part of Apollo Care, an innovative national alliance of 12 not-for-profit aged care communities across Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria.

Apollo Care’s CEO Stephen Becsi OAM said: “Building a permanent workforce to reduce costly temporary agency contractors is key to the sustainability of aged care services in regional Australia.

“Today’s agreement is a significant step toward bridging the gap between education and the aged care workforce with the Health Hub offering a tailored training package for a Certificate III in Health Services Assistance.”

The initiative is one of a suite of programs Apollo Care is implementing to build its permanent workforce. The organisation is also attracting workers from overseas, interstate and intrastate through specialist agencies, via the PALM Scheme and through its very popular referral program.

The signatories at today’s ceremony were Stephen Becsi; Michelle Gouge, Principal of Riverside Christian College; Jinto George, Residential Services Manager of PresCare Groundwater Lodge; and Rozina Hegarty, Residential Services Manager of PresCare Yaralla Place.

Principal Michelle Gouge said: “We’ve worked hard with our partners to ensure the Academy will provide high-quality, accessible education for local students and a pathway to a rewarding career.”

“There will be a maximum of 12 students per class, and the course will be a mix of online and face-to-face instruction, set within a simulated workplace environment at our College. Students will also complete 80 to 120 hours of vocational placement at PresCare’s Groundwater Lodge and Yaralla Place to provide hands-on experience in a real-world healthcare setting.”

“Early indication is that even our Distance Education students (including students from Brisbane) are interested in what this opportunity will bring to their career goals. Being able to study the Distance Education Program coupled with a face-to-face day at the College means we’re open to an even wider network of potential workers wanting to secure employment in regional centres.”

"We’re incredibly proud of this initiative," said Mr Becsi. “We’re not only equipping students with a valuable qualification and real-world skills for a fulfilling career in their hometown, we’re also creating a strong, secure pipeline of workers committed to our local communities.”

The first cohort begins on 28 January 2025, with the course set to conclude in December 2026.

TAFE Queensland’s General Manager for East Coast region, Mark Reilly, said the organisation looked forward to working with Riverside Christian College and, by extension, Apollo Care to skill Maryborough’s next generation of healthcare workers.

“TAFE Queensland is committed to delivering practical and industry-relevant training that provides students with the skills and experience they need to build lifelong careers,” Mr Reilly said.

“This partnership will do just that, providing Riverside’s students with the valuable opportunity to get ahead and kick-start a highly rewarding career in the healthcare industry while they complete their studies in high school.

“As the state’s largest training provider, we know Queenslanders with the right skills and training are going to play a critical role in powering our state’s economy for years to come, and we’re committed to providing in-demand industries with a pipeline of skilled workers.”

Similar agreements have been forged at Apollo Care communities in Mirani and Rockhampton in Queensland, Tenterfield, Kempsey, Harden, Wauchope and Waverley in New South Wales, and in Yackandandah and Hastings in Victoria.

“It’s working,” reports Mr Becsi. “Many students are staying on at our communities, and some are even working with us while they study to become enrolled or registered nurses. We love having multigenerational workers; everyone brings something unique to their role.”

Once Apollo Care finds good workers, it works hard to keep them.

“Our multifaceted approach includes providing affordable housing for workers; an award-winning psychology-based online workforce wellbeing program; cutting-edge technology, including hand-held devices; and a strong focus on culture.”

Internationally qualified nurses are supported by Apollo Care’s ‘Key2Care’ program, which enables them to work full-time as personal care workers while completing their Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) registration.

“We’ve also streamlined the compliance and onboarding process by simplifying workflows, and each community has initiatives to ensure new recruits are made welcome at the aged care community and beyond.”

“We’re always innovating,” said Mr Becsi, “and I’m thrilled that our use of agency staff has dropped to zero in some communities and by 20% overall. This vastly improves sustainability while enriching relationships and quality of life for workers and residents.”

Find out more about Apollo Care