Creating a First Nations training workforce for health workers
The Albanese Government is delivering more trainers and assessors for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workforce, to supply more workers to communities, sooner.
The government is providing up to $1.2 million over two years for the First Nations Trainer and Assessor Demonstration Project, to be delivered through the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO).
The project will support 40 First Nations health workers to complete a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment and will:
- provide them with skills to train others
- leverage First Nations expertise to strengthen the workforce
- create career pathways.
The project will ensure a pipeline of First Nations trainers who can deliver Aboriginal health worker and practitioner qualifications, including for the Albanese Government’s First Nations Health Worker Traineeship Program.
The Traineeship Program will train 500 new Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and Health Practitioners to provide culturally appropriate care to First Nations people.
The outcomes from the First Nations Trainer and Assessor Demonstration Project will be evaluated, with the goal to replicate the approach and build a skilled and capable First Nations trainer and assessor workforce in other community-controlled sectors.
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Skills and Training, the Hon Brendan O’Connor MP:
“This project will build the skills and abilities of First Nations people within communities and grow a workforce that can deliver culturally appropriate health care services to people in community.
“We’re committed to real action to ensure the design and delivery of vocational education and training to First Nations Australians is in full and genuine partnership.
“This project will provide a new pipeline of skilled First Nations trainers and assessors and is aimed at improving the health and wellbeing of people in remote communities.”
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Indigenous Australians, the Hon Linda Burney MP:
“This initiative is an important step in delivering on our commitment to train up to 500 First Nations health workers to create jobs, expand local health services and improve health outcomes.
“Expanding the First Nations health workforce is about providing services and employment opportunities for Indigenous Australians living on country and supporting healthy communities.
“It’s an important part of our efforts to close the gap in health and wellbeing for First Nations peoples.”
Quotes attributable to the Assistant Minister for Indigenous Health, Senator the Hon Malarndirri McCarthy:
“We know that training led by Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people delivers better outcomes and that’s why NACCHO is well placed to lead the national rollout.
“Skilling-up more trainers and assessors will help us get more health workers into communities, sooner.
“Increasing the First Nations health workforce will accelerate efforts to close the gap in health outcomes and create employment opportunities in Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations.”