Fifteen workers employed by St Agnes’ Care & Lifestyle under the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility [PALM] scheme, are the first cohort of workers from Vanuatu to graduate with a Certificate III in Individual Support from the John Henry Institute (RTO No 7054) as part of the Australian Government’s Aged Care Expansion [ACE] program.

The graduation ceremony was held on Wednesday 1 May 2024 at the St Agnes’ Catholic Parish Hall, in Port Macquarie. Representatives of the Department of Foreign Affairs (including members of the PALM and ACE teams), St Agnes’ Catholic Parish, residential aged care, and the local community attended to celebrate the success of the graduates.

In early 2023, St Agnes’ Catholic Parish joined the Australian Government’s PALM scheme and ACE program to help it secure long term aged care workers in the midst of a nationwide shortage of skilled workers in aged care.  The group of fifteen Ni-Vanuatu workers arrived in Port Macquarie to commence the program in early August 2023.

Speaking on behalf of the Parish, Ken Ritchie, Executive Manager People and Human Resources, said the goal was to develop an effective and sustainable workforce that could join our existing wonderful staff, to provide high quality care to residents living in our St Agnes’ Care & Lifestyle aged care homes.

“This goal is becoming a reality as we experience the beautiful culture and nature of the people of Vanuatu in our aged care,” said Ken.

“This, however, is not just about our Parish and our workforce needs. It is also about the positive ripple effects this program creates in Vanuatu. It is about giving people the chance to learn new skills, improve employment, and economic prosperity,” he added.

“The Parish is committed to being a welcoming and inclusive faith community that empowers people to learn new skills, that embraces diversity, and nurtures a culture of care for one another. It is wonderful to witness the effect of diversity and ongoing cultural exchange between our residents and staff,” he concluded.

Keynote speaker, Reiko Take, Assistant Director Pacific Labour Mobility Country Engagement Section in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, said the ACE Program stemmed from an increasing demand in Australian aged care service providers to engage more PALM workers.

“The Australian Government is funding the Aged Care Expansion program both to help aged care providers recruit much-needed carers, and to provide Pacific and Timorese workers with an opportunity to gain the skills they need to become carers,” said Ms Take.

“The PALM scheme also plays an important role in Australia’s relationships with Pacific countries, and we’re committed to ensuring PALM scheme workers are valued and supported when working in Australia.”

Ms Take also acknowledged the dedication of the graduates saying, “working and studying at the same time is such a difficult thing to do, and even more so in a different country away from family and your support networks.”

“I’d like to say a big thank you to St Agnes and John Henry Institute for choosing to participate in the Aged Care Expansion program, and also say thank you to the Port Macquarie community who have worked hard to ensure our graduates’ success during their study and work,” she added.

Prior to the presentation of certificates, Pareina Matariki, delivered an inspiring address on behalf of the graduates acknowledging the importance of caring for the aged; appreciation for the opportunity to learn; and the unwavering support and guidance the group received from their parents, guardians, loved ones and from the PALM team and the St Agnes’ Parish community.

“Aged care is special, it is the final duty given back to humanity, for each person we nurse holds a part of history and are bestowed with some of life’s greatest test and remarkable wisdom. In my own culture, such people are highly respected,” said Pareina.

“As we gather here today surrounded by friends, family, mentors, and educators who have invested in our learning and advancement, it is important io take a moment to express our gratitude.”

“The skillsets we gain from this opportunity is tremendous. If the quality of care that is required is taken and applied back in Vanuatu, our civilians would benefit greatly from it.”

“For the past couple of months, I have been able to see my daughter excel in her studies where she benefits from great education, send money back home to my mother and families so that they can enjoy a substantial quality of life and I have been able to put food on the table for our loved ones at home,’ said Pareina.

The graduation marks a pivotal moment in the workers’ journey. Armed with new qualifications and skills, the graduates will continue their employment in residential aged care for St Agnes’ Care & Lifestyle for up to four years, before returning home to Vanuatu.

A second group of Ni-Vanuatu workers arrived in Port Macquarie in March and have commenced work with St Agnes’ Care & Lifestyle to work under the same arrangement.

Background

The Australian Government committed to expanding the number of funded aged care training places through the PALM scheme via the ACE program in the 2022 budget. Administered by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), the ACE program aims to support PALM scheme employers in partnering with registered training organisations to deliver the Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing) to workers from the Pacific and Timor Leste.

St Agnes’ Catholic Parish became a registered employer under the PALM scheme and, working with the DFAT’s Pacific Labour Facility, established partnerships with the Australian Pacific Training Coalition and the Pacific nation of Vanuatu. These partnerships aimed to recruit and train care support workers via the ACE program, to address workforce challenges caused by a nationwide shortage of skilled aged care workers.

Staff from St Agnes’ Care & Lifestyle visited Vanuatu in June 2023 to commence in-country training and recruit the Ni-Vanuatu workers, who arrived in Port Macquarie last August.

Natasha Murphy, in her dual roles as manager of the St Agnes’ Catholic Parish’s Registered Training Organisation, the John Henry Institute (JHI), and Learning and Development Manager for the Parish, partnered with representatives from the Vanuatu Department of Labour, a local training provider, the Australia Pacific Training Coalition and an in-country Health Trainer to deliver content in a skill set of three units from Certificate III in Individual Support, which is not currently offered in Vanuatu.

The training ran over nine days (19 -18 June 2023) with 36 students participating in highly visual and practical learning for concepts including how to support individuals in aged care; elements of WHS; completion of a First Aid certificate; and the general professional skills required for supporting residents in aged care.

Upon the completion of the in-country training, fifteen (15) students were mobilised to Port Macquarie and offered contracts to work in the Parish’s residential aged care services.

To ensure smooth transition into their new environment, the workers were provided with accommodation by St Agnes’ Catholic Parish and participated in an ‘Induction and Ready for Work’ program delivered by JHI.

Supported by a buddy system, the workers commenced practical on-the-job training, concurrently pursuing further study with JHI to attain the Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing).