Workforce issues a problem for aged care in WA
Staff retention is an ongoing challenge for many not-for-profit human services providers in competition with the private sector.
Aged and Community Services WA (ACSWA) chief executive, Helen Attrill, says the issue is a continuing concern. “The aged care industry has a history of a reasonably high turnover rate. As the potential workforce gets tighter and with the boom in WA, it’s really bringing it to the sharp end for our members,” she said.
Ms Attrill said part of the challenge for organisations was promoting the benefits of working in the sector.
“There is a view among the generation Xs and the Ys that jobs have to be intrinsically worthwhile. Certainly, aged care along with disability care, is a worthwhile and personally rewarding area of work, but it’s also hard.”
ACSWA has asked the WA government’s home and community care health funding round, to establish a central recruitment forum for aged care providers, to assist smaller providers in reaching prospective employees, while sharing advertising materials. However, the request has so far been rejected.
