Supporting the young leaders of aged care

The program focuses on making sure young leaders in the sector have access to skills they need to be “champions” of the aged care space, as well as to promote change within aged care industry creating a space that is dynamic, innovative and life-changing for young professionals.

Newly appointed Principal Advisor of Next Gen, Samantha Bowen is passionate about promoting aged care to other young professionals as a career with really fulfilling outcomes and career progression.

Ms Bowen says, “Traditionally when we are being told about aged care, we are being told by people who are in the mature-aged bracket. We don’t necessarily have younger professionals up there showing that they are passionate about that space.

“Young people are underrepresented across leadership. A lot of the time when we go to university or training courses, even in hospitality courses, aged care isn’t promoted as a career that has growth opportunities and leadership opportunities. It is seen as a space that you go to get limited skills and then you move on to another industry. 

“Then there is also the perception that those who are younger in aged care organisations will leave quite quickly. That they shouldn’t really care about the space because they are too young, they don’t really understand it, and if they get trained, they will get up and leave super quick.”

Ms Bowen wants to change the current attitude around young professionals opinions of the sector but also the beliefs and myths organisations have towards young leaders in aged care.

This August, Next Gen is hosting State Forums around Australia targeted towards young professionals in aged care and what the sector may look like in the future.

The forums will explore personal branding, moving through leadership levels in aged care and networking.

There will also be a panel of young industry leaders sharing their vulnerabilities, the mistakes they have made and how they got through the issues over their career.

“The state forums will be looking at what aged services is today and tomorrow, looking at the current context as well as what the future may look like,” explains Ms Bowen.

“The workforce is always highlighted as a key issue by organisations. We want to make sure that we have a diverse workforce that’s passionate and has the skills of the future, but we also want to make sure that young people can see themselves in the careers not only today, but for tomorrow. 

“It’s about succession planning, it’s about workforce development, and it is also about supporting organisations to position themselves as employers of choice for not only young professionals but also all generations to be involved in.”

Ms Bowen wants to improve the aged care sector for young professionals because of her family, knowing that at some point her mother will enter aged care. 

She wants to know that no matter the location, her mother will have access to passionate staff and organisations, and is supported to live her best life while in care.

Ms Bowen is very excited for the upcoming forums and says she enjoys meeting other young professionals in the space who are passionate about the industry.

For further information about the upcoming State Forums, contact Samantha Bowen on samanthab@lasa.asn.au.

Next Gen State Forums: 

Brisbane, Queensland – 5 August

Sydney, New South Wales – 7 August

Melbourne, Victoria – 9 August

Adelaide, South Australia – 30 October

Campbell Town, Tasmania – 11 November

Perth, Western Australia – 15 November