Bridging the Gap: Tackling the Skills Shortage in the Disability Sector through Quality Training
Throughout my journey as a disability advocate working in the field, I would often find myself supporting a participant or their family members to voice their unequivocal dissatisfaction with service providers over the constant revolving door of support workers, lack of skilled staff, and the overwhelming exhaustion from ‘re-training’ their new support workers…over and over again.
Long-term staffing in the disability sector is an ongoing issue and the report by the federal parliament’s joint standing committee on the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) estimated that 83,000 extra workers would be needed to fill the gaps in the system by 2024 as the rollout of the NDIS continued. That’s a lot of workers… and potentially a lot of training that will be needed.
People with disability are going without their essential daily supports, increasing the burden on the health system and informal supports- for those who are fortunate enough to have them.
Not just a nightmare for people with disability and their families; service providers are struggling more and more each day to attract and retain much needed staff, and find quality training solutions to suit their participant’s needs.
The strain on existing providers is profound, with professionals stretching their working hours to the limit, grappling with high levels of stress as they attempt to bridge the widening gaps in service provision.
It is just not working.
In the face of a growing skills shortage in the disability sector, the time has come for a concerted effort to invest in affordable, quality training solutions. The NDIS review report highlighted that the governments will finally invest in the skills shortage in the sector, giving service providers greater opportunities to invest in their staff.
The NGO Training Centre stands as a reliable partner in this endeavour, offering a range of competency-based courses that not only address the immediate staffing crisis but also contribute to the overall professional development of individuals in the sector.
By embracing innovative, online training methods, NGO Training Centre can pave the way for a more resilient, skilled, and compassionate workforce that truly meets the needs of those relying on disability services. It is through collaborative initiatives and a commitment to ongoing education that we can ensure a brighter and more sustainable future for the disability sector.
With over 80 high-quality competency-based courses, delivered online in bite-sized quality chunks straight into the hands of those that need it, NGO has you covered. Studies have shown that microlearning can boost retention rates anywhere from 70%-90%, ensuring that your staff retain crucial information for the long term. This translates into a workforce that not only stays current with new skills but also actively applies them to their roles.
What are you waiting for?
Get ahead of the rest and start your learning journey today.
Want to know more?
Call us on 1300 990 995 or email info@ngotrainingcentre.com today!
Written by Amanda Robinson, B.A., MMentalHealth Prac.
Amanda is a professional with over a decade of dedicated experience in the fields of Mental Health and Disability. Her extensive expertise lies in navigating the intricate landscape of the Disability Sector. She brings a unique perspective to her work, being both a person with lived experience of disability and a compassionate carer. She has a passion for advocacy, making her a staunch champion for the rights and well-being of individuals facing similar challenges.
