PwC to deliver new aged-care workforce advisory service

The Federal
Government has confirmed funding for a new workforce capacity-building
initiative in the home and residential aged care sector.

The establishment of the Workforce Advisory Service follows a recommendation by the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety for education and training to improve the quality of aged care in Australia.

PricewaterhouseCoopers
(PwC) will deliver the service on behalf of the federal Department of Health,
with funding to come from a $5.9 million expansion of the Commonwealth’s Business
Advisory Service.

Federal
Aged Care Services Minister Richard Colbeck said the free and confidential
service will help aged
care workers acquire qualifications and training – and by extension enable aged
care providers to retain a better-skilled
workforce over the medium and long term.

“This will be a win-win for workers, providers, and senior Australians alike; and will be an important step in building a world-class aged care workforce for Australia,” Minister Colbeck said.

He said the Government will continue to work closely with the Aged Care Workforce Industry Council to provide workforce planning support to aged-care providers.