Support Staff offer training through to recruitment



Candidate care, quality education programs and access to a range of work opportunities in South Australia is what aged care workers can expect from Support Staff Australasia.

The aged care division of Support Staff started in 2005 and has worked closely with employers and candidates ever since to create skilled staff to fill a growing demand for qualified people who can “hit the ground running.”

Support Staff Australasia was first established in 2002. Its divisions include Engineering, Industrial and Hospitality as well as Aged Care and Nursing. An international division specialising in recruiting Registered and Enrolled Nurses from overseas launched in 2007.

As a staffing agency, Support Staff employs Enrolled Nurses, Registered Nurses, Carers and Hospitality staff who fill assignments across major aged care facilities in South Australia.

“There’s very much a shortage of skilled staff in aged care,” says Support Staff’s Training and Development Manager, Gabriele Bryan.

“We have an ageing population, a quite significant skills shortage and a move to community-based care. More and more carers will be required,” she says.

Candidates must meet Support Staff’s screening criteria but once that is complete most are placed in a role within a few days. Support Staff also offer a candidate care program to support its agency staff.

Education & Training

Support Staff’s “Introduction to Aged Care” program provides a comprehensive overview of the Australian aged care system to students who range from school leavers to those looking for a mid life career change.

The organisation also takes on trainees pursuing a Certificate III in Aged Care who Support Staff then employ as personal care workers. In addition, Support Staff offer financial support to a number of experienced Personal Care Workers wanting to complete a Diploma of Enrolled Nursing.

Creating solutions for aged care
As well as “training” the aged care workers of tomorrow, Support Staff takes an active role in finding other solutions to the increasing shortage of skilled aged care staff that includes working with government and employers.

The agency recently signed a labour agreement with the Commonwealth Government so it can employ qualified professionals including International Registered Nurses and Enrolled Nurses.

The program has proven very successful with Support Staff and is continuing in 2010.

Support Staff also has agreements in place with Migration Agents for undergraduate students who have completed their nursing studies in China and other countries. Candidates for the internships must be very efficient in the English language and meet other requirements to be eligible for this program.

The International students will study the Diploma of Enrolled Nursing at the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation and are able to work as a Personal Care Worker with Support Staff when deemed competent. Support Staff provides pastoral care, communication and mentorship to the students to ensure a successful integration.

The program will enable students to be eligible to become Enrolled Nurses in South Australia within certain Visa conditions.

For more information, view the Support Staff Australasia video in which Recruitment Manager Leah Uren talks about what Support Staff offers to candidates and employers.

CareerOne.com.au, May 17, 2010.