A NEW blueprint on the pathways students and volunteers in the Loddon Campaspe region can take to fill the shortage of health workers across Victoria was officially launched last Friday.<\/p>\n
Minister for regional development Mary-Anne Thomas said the Loddon Campaspe Health Sector and Skills Pathway Road Map encourages learners to seek out local education, while also forecasting future demands on the sector and changing population needs.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe know that by 2024 regional Victoria is going to need an additional 13,900 workers in healthcare,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe also know that healthcare is changing with an increased focus on supporting people, no matter how old they are, to spend more time\u2026 being cared for in the home.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve got a changing workforce need, we\u2019ve got a changing demographic here in regional Victoria and we need to make sure that the skills and abilities of our workforce keep the pace with that.<\/p>\n
\u201c[The road map is] all about how we ensure that we are creating opportunities for young people here in Bendigo and across the Loddon Campaspe region to fulfill their career aspirations here in Bendigo and the surrounding communities.\u201d<\/p>\n
The health sector is the region\u2019s largest local employer with around 17,300 workers, but that\u2019s still not enough workers to fill all the jobs available.<\/p>\n
Member for Bendigo West Maree Edwards said the road map directly addresses this.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat we do know is we have an absolute shortage of health professionals right across Victoria and we want to make sure that into the future we have the skilled and trained professionals to support our health care sector,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat starts with this road map which will give students in particular a clear pathway to a very challenging but also rewarding career.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bendigo TAFE diploma of nursing student Jade Heavyside knew her future was in health care but put her studies on hold to raise her four children.<\/p>\n
\u201cI wanted to become a nurse about 10 years ago when I did my certificate IV in aged care but I\u2019ve got four children so it just wasn\u2019t the right timing,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think we all have a calling and I\u2019ve known what mine has been for quite a while, I\u2019ve just got to get on the path.<\/p>\n
The road map was developed with input from students, educators, trainers, employers and industry professionals and funded by the Loddon Mallee Regional Development Australia Committee.<\/p>\n
The Loddon Campaspe Regional Partnership and relevant stakeholders will see to the activation of the road map throughout the coming months.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A NEW blueprint on the pathways students and volunteers in the Loddon Campaspe region can take to fill the shortage of health workers across Victoria was officially launched last Friday. Minister for regional development Mary-Anne Thomas said the Loddon Campaspe Health Sector and Skills Pathway Road Map encourages learners to seek out local education, while […]<\/p>\n