Dementia education to take on National Training Awards
Alzheimer’s Australia is set to represent Victoria at the Australian Training Awards in November after their work in dementia education was recognised as the winner of the Small Training Provider of the Year Award through the Department of Education’s Victorian Training Awards.
Alzheimer’s Australia recognised at Victorian Training Awards for dementia education (Source: Alzheimer’s Australia)
Announced in Melbourne on Wednesday 11 October, the award acknowledges Alzheimer’s Australia’s complete suite of learning programs in Victoria, which help to form pathways to improving the quality of care provided to those living with dementia.
The learning programs in the suite include the Dementia Essentials program, multi-award winning Virtual Dementia Experience and the Educational Dementia Immersive Experience (EDIE) which uses virtual reality headsets that David Sykes, General Manager Learning and Development Alzheimer’s Australia Victoria, says provides an immersive experience of what it might be like to live with dementia.
“We are thrilled that our vision to create unique learning experiences which touch, move and inspire participants to improve their dementia practice has been recognised by our peers and leaders in our sector,” he says.
“More importantly, through ongoing independent evaluation of these innovations, and all our programs, we are assured that we are influencing change in residential and community care that improves the lives of those living with dementia.”
With 17,000 participants in 2016, including 2,000 who were students completing the Dementia Essentials program, Mr Sykes has congratulated the Alzheimer’s Australia Victorian team for their training success.
“I wish to acknowledge the extraordinary work of the Alzheimer’s Australia team in Victoria and their commitment to transforming dementia care educations, to improve the quality of life for people, of all ages, living with all forms of dementia, their families and carers,” he says.
The Australian Training Awards, which will see Alzheimer’s Australia represent Victoria, will be held in Canberra on Thursday 23 November.
Award categories for the national branch of the awards include Lifetime Achievement Award, National Achievement Award, Excellence in Language, Literacy and Numeracy Practice Award, Small Employer of the Year Award, Australian Apprenticeships – Employer Award, International Training Provider of the Year Award, and School Pathways to VET Award.
Alzheimer’s Australia has since announced its federation of all state-based organisations under the one body now known as Dementia Australia.
