Why Professional Development Is Important For Aged Care Workers

A career in aged care is a rewarding responsibility that requires a special person who can provide the care and support that truly makes an impact on the lives of older people. As the industry continues to evolve, it becomes increasingly important for professionals to continue developing their skills and learning. Below, we’ll explore the benefits of professional development for aged care workers and how employees can participate in these processes during their career journey.

Benefits of Professional Development

Professional development is a process that can lead to a wide range of benefits for people in aged care careers. These benefits can include:

1. Enhanced Skills & Knowledge: As the industry continues to grow and evolve, learning new skills and knowledge becomes even more valuable for aged care workers. Professional development programs can cover healthcare technologies, hospitality, dementia care and more. By staying job-ready, workers can ensure they can provide the best care for their older clients or residents.
2. Career Advancement: Actively engaging with upskilling or professional development can open the door to potential promotions. Demonstrating a commitment to continual growth can prepare you for the next stage of your career and increase your chances of advancement.
3. Improved Confidence: Professional development is also a great way to enhance self-confidence and reduce stress. It offers a chance to sharpen skills in areas where you may be feeling rusty and allows you to be recognised for your growth and work.

Types of Professional Development In Aged Care

There are several opportunities to participate in professional development while working in the aged care industry. Some of the most common approaches include:

1. Mentoring & Coaching: Mentorship and coaching programs are highly beneficial for supporting and guiding aged care workers. Mentors can offer valuable insights and advice based on their own first-hand experiences and assist individuals with navigating career paths.
2. Tertiary Courses: Depending on the aged care job, individuals may need to take specific tertiary courses before being able to carry out their responsibilities. Aged care organisations will usually detail these requirements in their job offers and, in some cases, may assist employees with accessing these courses.
3. Conferences & Seminars: There is a host of aged care conferences and seminars that bring together professionals from across the field to discuss and share insights from the industry. They are also great places to meet and learn from industry leaders. Conferences usually consist of talks from keynote speakers, panel discussions and even workshops for practical experience.
4. Workshops & Training Programs: Many aged care organisations offer workshops and training programs for their employees. These sessions can cover many topics, from essential onboarding and general work considerations to more specific skill training. Sometimes, organisations may also provide on-the-job learning, ensuring employees gain practical experience.

Career Development At Whiddon

At Whiddon, we invest a great deal in finding and developing carers, nurses, cooks and many others who have the values and skills to provide the right experience for our residents and clients. We want our workplaces to be spaces where you are encouraged to continue learning and growing as an individual. That’s why we offer a range of professional development opportunities such as Traineeships, access to Certificate III and IV courses and on-the-job learning.

In addition, we also run the Whiddon Scholarship Program, enabling employees to develop their skills through funded tertiary studies in areas such as health and nursing, diversional therapy, catering, human resources and management.

For more information on how you can begin your Whiddon journey, view our list of current aged care job opportunities today.