Twenty-students have enrolled in Tonga's first Aged Care program targeted to fill an increasing gap in the supply of skilled workers in this field in Australia.

Launched by the Australian-Pacific Technical College (APTC) on 7 July, the six-months training is piloted at the 'Ahopanilolo Techinical Institute with 16 women and four men.

Denise O’Brien the APTC CEO said partnerships with local TVET institutions in the Pacific ensured that they would continue to deliver programs that are relevant to the Pacific Island countries in which they operate.

“We have identified a gap between the demand for skilled workers in the aged care industry, and a supply of appropriately skilled workers to fill this gap. The pilot program in Tonga is an example of a targeted approach to supporting labour mobility of Pacific Islands who graduate from APTC.”

She said the decision to migrate must take into consideration other factors, such as the cost of migration. By providing graduates of the Aged Care program with Australian qualifications, which are internationally recognized, ensured that graduates would have the necessary skills to meet industry standards and were eligible for employment in the event of successful future migration, she said.

Gap

In line with the increasing age profile in international labour markets such as Australia, skills shortages are predicted to increase.

APTC estimated by 2050, there would be only 2.7 individuals of working age to support each Australian over 65-years old. Australia’s Community Services and Health Skills Industry Council also project there will be need for a total of between 830,000 and 1.3 million workers in Aged Care by 2050.

While the proportion of the direct care workforce that was born overseas has increased to 35 percent in residential facilities and 28 percent in community outlets.

Remittances

Sister Keoma of ‘Ahopanilolo said the Tongan economy, like many other Pacific Island economies, relies heavily on overseas remittances.

She said when Tongans had the opportunity to benefit from greener pastures elsewhere, they still had a love for their country and were willing to support and contribute not only to their families but to their villages and communities.

The proposed benefits of this program will extend  beyond the lives of its graduates and as part of the training students will visit the community, the hospitals, the Alonga Centre as Tonga does not have any nursing homes. They will share their skills with those who are taking care of the elderly to make a difference to the way they are being looked after, she said.

Dr Siale ‘Akau’ola, CEO of Tonga’s Ministry of Health welcomed the new program as a start of close collaboration that will have sustainable economic benefits for both Tonga and Australia in exploring feasible solutions to deal with future challenges of looking after an aging population in both countries.

The program is offered in both Certificate III in Aged Care and Certificate III in Home and Community Care.

Funded by the Government of Australia, APTC delivers qualification accredited under the Australian Qualifications Framework that is locally, regionally and internationally recognized with five campuses in the region including Fiji, Samoa, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea.