Aged Care Traineeship Spotlight

If helping and caring for others is your passion, and you don’t mind putting in a bit of hard work, a career in aged care could be perfect for you. There are currently tons of jobs available in aged care, and there is expected to be even more in the future with growth of 28% over the next few years. One of the best ways to get qualified for this career is by completing a traineeship.

What is a career in aged care?

Aged care workers are responsible for assisting and caring for people as they grow old. They can work in a variety of environments, including aged care and retirement homes, hospitals, clinics, and even travelling to people’s homes. You will be expected to provide both physical and emotional support, and treat clients with dignity and respect.

What skills do I need for a career in aged care?

You’ll be working with people from all walks of life and will need to be friendly, empathetic, and respectful. A lot of the work can be very physical, so being fit and healthy is a huge advantage. The job can also be both emotionally rewarding and draining, so high emotional resilience is essential.

Why should I consider an aged care traineeship?

Traineeships are a great way to gain both practical on-the-job skills and theoretical knowledge at the same time. They combine VET study alongside paid work experience in a real business, so you get the best of both worlds.

A aged care traineeship will see you doing real work for an employer while completing study with a TAFE or RTO. An aged care traineeship usually takes around 1-2 years to complete, depending on whether you work and study full- or part-time.

There are tons of benefits to a traineeship, rather than just work or study alone, including:

Getting paid while you learn – unlike uni, you can work and study without having to take on an insane work load.
The opportunity to get hands-on experience, not just endless reading.
The potential to connect with an employer and continue working with them after your traineeship is finished.
Your qualification will be nationally recognised, meaning you can go anywhere with it.

Where can I find traineeship opportunities?

Just like searching for a job, there are lots of places you can go to find a traineeship. You can start your search on sites like SEEK and Indeed. Take a look on social media like Facebook or LinkedIn to see if any local businesses are hiring. Sign up with an Apprenticeship Network Provider or Group Training Organisation, or even go old fashioned and take a look in the local paper or give local businesses a call.