Aged care and early childhood are in critical need of skilled workers. But it’s not all bad news – one of the upsides to a skills shortage is a renewed focus on jobs, skills, training and workplace satisfaction.

Quality training providers play a key role in these times. It starts with education, and our job is to maximise opportunity and support positive outcomes for everyone involved. It’s an exciting time for aged care and early childhood education, with almost no end to career opportunities in these vibrant, thriving sectors.

Addressing skills shortages

It’s no secret that both aged care and early childhood education currently face serious skills shortages. Recent reports suggest that in early childhood alone, an influx of over 6,000 workers is needed to address the crisis. Aged care finds itself in a similar predicament: a recent list compiled by SEEK positions aged care as the third most in-demand job in Australia.

While this sounds critical, it’s not all doom and gloom. Yes the sectors are under strain, and it’s going to take a mutual and sustained effort between organisations, training providers, sector leads and employers to attract and retain staff. This is going to be a priority in coming years, but it doesn’t take much to see it as an opportunity.

The upside of high job demand

The good thing to come out of all of this is that there have never been more opportunities within each sector, not only for employment but for change, development, innovation and growth. For organisations and employers, this is an opportunity to refresh, reorient and streamline your workforce. Job demand drives wage growth and attracts better workers to the sector.

It’s time to invest in staff, encourage professional development, take advantage of opportunity and enjoy the mutual benefits having a skilled and passionate workforce can provide.

How our RTOs support sector growth

Choosing a quality training provider means choosing viability, confidence and growth. Catalyst is proud to be at the helm of some of our country’s most reputable training providers in aged care and early learning.

As the aged care sector continues to respond to the findings of the Royal Commission into Aged Care, the focus will be on quality training and investment in skills across the sector. The goal is to put people at the heart of aged care, and this means supporting workers as well as clients. The aged care workforce is the heart and soul of the sector – engaged, passionate and confident workers will deliver the best possible care.

In early childhood education, the future is in the hands of educators. Exceptional education is possible – it’s just a matter of providing the right training and support for our future educators. It’s important to highlight the benefit of ongoing training, which ensures centres continue to deliver the highest standard of education and care for families. Quality training also enhances each centre’s ability to meet requirements set out by the National Quality Framework and Early Years Learning Framework, contributing directly to higher NQS ratings when it comes to being assessed.

We might be biased, but for us it’s the training organisations that are the pulse of the sector. Education and training is the lifeblood of both aged care and early childhood, helping to develop future leaders, inspire passionate carers and funnel desirable workers into the organisations and businesses that desperately need them. We’re proud to say that after training with us, most graduates report that their studies led them directly to a job.

Start on your journey with online learning

One of the goals of vocational training is to make learning as accessible as possible and conducive to getting a job. That’s why our RTOs offer most qualifications in aged care and early childhood education via flexible online learning.

Studying online gives learners the ability to choose when and how they study, enabling them to balance work and lifestyle commitments. Most of our courses take about twelve months to complete, and learners have access to a range of helpful online resources as well as dedicated advisors.

For employers, encouraging current staff to gain new qualifications, upskill or reskill via online learning is a meaningful way to promote professional development. Training providers can work with you to identify and deliver the most rewarding professional development opportunities for your organisation.

Kick off a rewarding career with a traineeship

Another way to get started is through a traineeship in aged care or early childhood education. A traineeship is a type of vocational learning where you train and study at the same time, providing opportunities to earn while you learn. Trainees apply skills and knowledge in a real workplace, in real time. For employers, taking on trainees provides access to wage subsidies and government funding as well as the opportunity shape the workforce you want.

Career outcomes in aged care

Aged care is a diverse sector with many different roles available. It all depends on where you take it.

For learners, starting out with a Certificate III in Individual Support is the first step to working in a sector where you’ll be promoting the dignity and wellbeing of elderly people.

For those already working in the sector and employers looking to promote professional development, upskilling, reskilling or gaining a new qualification could see workers take on new responsibilities and open up pathways into leadership, leisure and health and community sector management.

Some aged care career outcomes include:

  • Personal care worker
  • Residential care worker
  • Program co-ordinator
  • Community service co-ordinator
  • Leisure and Lifestyle co-ordinator
  • Community or disability support worker

Career outcomes in early childhood

This year, the early childhood sector is set to be injected with increased funding, which means better care for more families, increased employment opportunities and a more vibrant sector all round.

Your career is what you make it, and for those looking to get started, a Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care is your passport into this thriving sector. Once you’re there, you’ll promote learning through play and make a difference in the lives of children and families.

For those already working in the sector and for employers who wish to invest in future leaders, supporting staff to gain further qualifications means opening doors to leadership, management and even teaching.

Some exciting career outcomes for early childhood education include:

  • Early childhood educator
  • Nanny
  • Family day care educator
  • Kindergarten assistant
  • Room leader/Lead educator
  • Assistant Director
  • Centre Director
  • Kindergarten or Primary School teacher

Start enjoying the rewards

Aged care and early childhood education aren’t going anywhere. In fact, these thriving sectors are only set to grow, adapt and become stronger. When we work together to promote the health and viability of these important sectors, we can all enjoy the rewards. Quality training is where it begins.

 

With the ongoing demand for skilled workers in the aged care and early childhood sectors, attracting and retaining staff will remain at the forefront of business strategies in the coming years. Investing in professional development can boost morale and create a more sustainable working environment, helping to achieve this goal.

Professional development opportunities

Professional development for confidence and growth

If the past few years have taught us anything it’s that change is constant. Today’s workforce needs to be highly skilled, flexible and ready to adapt. More than that, the recent challenges faced by both the aged care and early childhood sectors have shown us that supporting workers to feel engaged and rewarded reduces the risk of burnout and contributes to a more sustainable workforce long-term.

Continuing their training and development not only equips employees to respond to change but helps them feel confident and fulfilled, contributing to a better workplace all round.

What does professional development look like today?

Professional development emphasises the accumulative nature of knowledge and the ongoing benefits of education. This doesn’t just mean supporting staff to enhance their practical abilities but includes honing adaptive skills like communication, teamwork, critical thinking and leadership.

Professional development activities and opportunities include:

  • Upskilling
  • Reskilling
  • Supporting staff to obtain higher qualifications
  • Supporting staff in pathways to leadership
  • Team building
  • Group training

A strong workforce should not only be capable but also satisfied. This holistic approach puts people, their achievements and values at the heart of the services we provide.

The power of professional development to address skills shortages

We’re well aware by now that aged care and early childhood education face a critical skills shortage. One positive to emerge from this is a renewed focus on jobs, training and employee satisfaction. Workers need to be respected, supported and motivated to achieve their career goals. A sector is only as strong as its workforce, which is what makes professional development so important.

Mutual benefits for employers and staff

Focusing on professional development has a range of mutual benefits. When you invest in training and development you help employees honour their passions, recognise their unique abilities and implement their hard-earned skills. It’s a way to empower workers and improve job satisfaction, as well as an investment in the quality of your workforce for years to come.

Positive outcomes of professional development include:

  • High motivation and goal setting among staff
  • Increased job satisfaction
  • A more engaged and caring workforce
  • Increased loyalty and incentive to remain with employers long-term
  • Innovation, collaboration and leadership

How quality training providers can support professional growth

Vocational training is designed with employability in mind. Recent data confirms that quality training is a sure road to job satisfaction in aged care and early childhood education, with high levels of graduates reporting their training was relevant and helped them find employment.

Quality training means quality care, which in turn means higher standards for employers, employees and clients across the entire sector.

Your employees are the heart and soul of your organisation as well as the wheels that keep it in motion. Ensuring their training is comprehensive and up-to-date is the best way to guarantee the success of your business and the quality of your service. Taking time to choose the right training provider can make all the difference.

Opportunities to upskill in aged care

The findings of the Royal Commission revealed that aged care needs to change. Putting people at the heart of aged care not only means maintaining high standards for clients but also supporting staff. Ongoing training can reduce burnout, increase job satisfaction and provide new opportunities for employees to thrive.

Upskilling, reskilling and getting qualified creates opportunity in the aged care sector. There are many ways to upskill, depending on the desired outcome.

Leadership pathways in aged care

Reports suggest that an influx of around 35,000 new workers is needed to combat the skills shortage in aged care. The upside is that opportunities abound.

Employers can support their staff to upskill by checking out what courses are on offer. Traineeships provide mutual benefits for employers and learners and are a great way to attract talent to your workplace.

With a Certificate IV, employees can take on more responsibility. Leisure and Health is another rewarding pathway, with outcomes that include lifestyle coordination and managing activity programs.

Grow future leaders by encouraging individuals with outstanding capabilities to qualify with an Advanced Diploma of Community Sector Management.

Opportunities to upskill in early childhood

High job demand in early childhood education and care means that supporting your staff to upskill and become qualified will create a dedicated workforce who are highly skilled and eager to embrace challenges.

One way training providers can work with you to attract and retain staff is via traineeships. This allows workers to earn while they learn and create lasting connections. For service providers, traineeships give access to skilled workers, government funding and wage subsidies, and the ability to shape the right workforce for the job.

Leadership pathways in early childhood

We don’t need to tell you that early childhood education is an engaging field with diverse roles to be filled. Discovering what courses are on offer is a starting point for employers interested in encouraging professional development among staff.

Empowering employees might look like encouraging them to take on greater responsibilities in your centre, such as becoming a Room Leader. For this they’ll need a diploma, which can open up further pathways to leadership depending on where you and your employees choose to go.

If university is their ultimate goal the diploma can even secure them a pathway to a Bachelor degree in primary teaching.

With over 6,000 roles to fill, encouraging skills and innovation among your staff is going to benefit the entire sector.

Empower your employees

Professional development is empowering for everyone. If you’re an aged care or early childhood organisation interested in creating a highly motivated, skilled and engaged workforce, now’s the time to partner with a training provider. At Catalyst, our courses are designed to maximise opportunity for the people who support these vital industries.

 

 

The ability to use digital technologies and the internet to find information and communicate involves a form of literacy known as digital literacy.

Smartphones, smart watches, computers, cars — the online world is very much a part of the real world. Digital literacy is now essential in business and personal life.

The coronavirus pandemic fast-tracked and increased the need for digital literacy, with an enormous uptake of digital technologies for working from home and connecting across the world. It’s not a bad thing though — individuals and organisations across a variety of sectors can use digital literacy to optimise their communication, productivity and approach to work and education. With a little know how, your business can use digital and online tools to reach your goals sooner and run your business more efficiently.

Improve your digital literacy and thrive

Improve your digital literacy for a range of benefits for your business (and your personal life), including:

Better access to information

Being able to use digital software and leverage the power of the internet can give you access to more ways to gain information, both professionally and personally. Improving your digital literacy gives you access to more resources than ever before to enhance the way you run your business. As your digital literacy expands, so does your knowledge.

Connect more effectively

Email, phone, text, video conferencing — there are so many options to connect with colleagues, friends and family. Texts are fast and informal and great for short messages or if you need to know something quickly. Using video conferencing platforms for personal face-to-face connection or support, and feel comfortable enough to ask the questions you really want to know.

Enhanced appeal

Your willingness to tackle new things and ability to navigate digital platforms shows that your business is ahead of the pack. Being open to technology and the capabilities of the internet is a strength in our modern world.

Getting to know digital and online tools

Communicate, learn, plan, coordinate and explore — there’s an app, program or tool for just about anything. It’s impossible to know how to use them all, but being competent in a few of the most commonly used platforms will go a long way. Plus, you can generally apply your skills across many once you have the idea. Understand the ways digital platforms may be used, which are popular and what’s expected of you when using them.

Video conferencing

Though it’s been used in businesses and homes for many years, video conferencing has been incredibly useful and popular during 2020 to give us access to a face-to-face communication experience without leaving our homes. Zoom, Skype, FaceTime, Google Meet — there are countless platforms to use so we can see one another, talk to one another and even share our screens. This makes learning, working and staying connected accessible with nothing more than a computer or phone and an internet connection.

File sharing

Sharing and storing files can use a lot of space, but there are many online places who are happy to share some space with you. OneDrive, Dropbox, Google Drive­ — there are plenty of options to choose from when you need to share a big file or many files, or if you want to store your files somewhere and provide select others (or anyone) with access to them.

Email etiquette

Hardly a new technology, email has been used personally and professionally since the 1990s. In today’s workplaces and educational settings, email is vital and used frequently and has long replaced the fax. Emails are used for sending messages, invitations, files, images and links. Good email etiquette can impact how you are seen by others, so it’s important to get it right.

  • Use clear subject lines: Keeping email communications efficient and easy to find is best achieved with clear subject lines that stick to the topic of their contents.
  • Check your spelling and grammar: Professionalism is a must via email, and correct spelling and grammar showcase your communication skills and attention to detail. Avoid emojis and text shorthand (brb, lol, thx) as a general rule. Personal email? Feel free to have a little fun!
  • Assess the email trail before forwarding: Forwarding an email can be very efficient, but keep in mind that not every piece of information may be appropriate for the next recipient. Check through the email trail of replies before forwarding it on.
  • Make note of attachments: If you’re attaching a file to your email, let the recipient know. And similarly, if you’re telling your recipient there’s an attachment, don’t forget to attach it before sending.

Quick tips for building digital literacy

If you’re not yet confident about your digital literacy, open your mind to learning. It’s not as overwhelming as it looks to become online savvy and with some time and patience you can reap the rewards for managing and communicating with employees, searching, storing and presenting information and collaborating with your teams in digital spaces.

Jump in and try

Don’t be afraid! Download a couple of apps, visit a few websites you’ve heard about and just explore. Just use your common sense, like avoiding entering payment details or testing out sending features with anything private.

Set goals

Doing everything at once might just end up confusing. Break your goals down and celebrate the smaller wins. You’ll be doing it all in no time.

Ask for help

With so many apps and devices to be across, it’s not surprising if you can’t get your head around a couple. It’s great to ask for help — that’s the best way to learn.

It’s good to know that once you begin to improve your digital literacy, it gets easier to expand your know-how very quickly. When you’re getting started, be patient with yourself and forgiving if you take a little longer to get the hang of things.

Before you know it you will be running a glitch-free Zoom session with ease.

 

Thinking about heading back to study in your later 20s, 30s, 40s or 50s? This means you will be returning as a mature age student. If it’s been a while since you last studied, whether it was in high school or undertaking a course, you might feel a little nervous. But there’s no need to worry – it’s not as daunting as it sounds.

Studying as a mature age student doesn’t have to be difficult, especially if you choose a course that is best suited to your goals and circumstances.

There are many reasons to return to study, and gaining a new qualification might enable you to take the next step in your career. When deciding on an appropriate course you might ask yourself a few questions, like:

  • Does this course offer flexible learning?
  • Does this course suit my needs and aspirations?
  • Will this course lead to rewarding career progression?

Once you’ve answered these questions you might consider some strategies which will help you ease back into learning. It’s never too late to return to study, and there are plenty of simple and effective ways to make the process easier.

mature age student

Choose flexible learning

A good way to achieve a healthy balance between life and study is to choose a course with options for flexible learning. The transition to online learning fast-tracked by the pandemic has made accessing education a lot easier for many people, and there are a wide range of benefits to studying online. For one thing, your schedule is up to you which makes it far easier to manage study with work or family commitments.

Flexible learning doesn’t mean you’ll miss out on practical training or support either. Catalyst’s registered training organisations have a dedicated team of trainers and professionals who support you every step of the way, and connect you to all the resources you need.

Get organised

Organisation and planning are the keys to managing a busy schedule, and if you have a lot on your plate it might be a good idea to get everything ready before your course commences. This might look like:

  • Preparing for study by purchasing materials like books and stationery
  • Understanding what is expected of you in terms of assessment
  • Taking note of key dates
  • Arranging child care
  • Adding study time into your weekly routine
  • Planning your work roster around study dates
  • Familiarising yourself with the online learning portal and any computer programs or technology that will help you to learn

With a little planning, you can ensure your transition to studying will be as smooth as possible.

Reach out for support

Remember that if you’re feeling overwhelmed, with the right trainer support is never far away. Your learning and wellbeing are the number one priority at Catalyst RTOs, and we encourage learners to take advantage of services designed to ensure you feel capable and supported. We have Learner Success Teams so learners have the opportunity to ask questions, discuss challenges to help identify solutions to any issues you might face. The types of things the Learner Success Teams can help with are:

  • Language support, including for those who may not have English as their first language
  • Study tips for success
  • Advice on how to maximise your learning potential
  • Literacy and numeracy support
  • Assistance with securing placement and preparing your resume

Taking advantage of support services means RTOs working together with learners to maximise the learning experience.

Embrace technology as a mature age student

Technology is something we cannot live without, but for some of us learning how to use it feels like a difficult, daunting or downright terrifying task. Whether you’re tech-savvy or have trouble turning your phone on, embracing technology can be really helpful in terms of study.  If you’re worried, just remember that most of the technology used at quality RTOs is designed to be user-friendly. If you’re unsure how to use a program or device, don’t despair. Just ask for some help!

Returning to study could be the most rewarding thing you do and can change your life for the better. Catalyst’s RTOs specialise in aged care and early childhood education courses for those starting out right through to experienced individuals wanting to upskill. They also have a range of short courses that can level up your knowledge and skillset.

Head to our RTO websites to learn more about our course offerings and discover the fulfilment that can come from studying as a mature aged learner.

Each year International Women’s Day is acknowledged on 8 March with the mission of celebrating women across the world. It is a time to recognise how far we have come in the pursuit of gender equality but also how far we still have to go.

The message is clear: Women’s rights are human rights, and International Women’s Day encourages communities to reflect on how we can continue to do better.

Did you know that in 1911 only eight countries across the globe allowed women to vote? And while today we strive to achieve equal pay for men and women, equal work was unlikely, with women often denied the opportunity to enter the workforce.

In Australia, conversations are happening along with a gradual change toward equality in many areas. It’s exciting to know that today there are many women who feel they have not encountered discrimination or faced barriers to achieve success in their lives. Unfortunately that is not the experience of all women.

International Women’s Day is a call to action to stand up for women across the globe. This includes women who are further marginalised due to ethnicity, disability, religion and sexuality.

Women’s crucial contribution to the workforce and community

Caring, compassionate, talented, professional women fulfil the majority of care roles in Australia — a fact that should not be taken for granted.

At Catalyst Education’s RTOs we have seen many people make incredible and inspiring contributions to early childhood education and aged care, with the majority of these being women.

Their work changes lives for the better — laying the foundation for children to have the best start in life, and supporting the elderly to live with dignity as they age.

Challenging gender stereotypes in aged care and early childhood

In a gender-equal world we can provide more opportunities to reinforce the fact that caring is a human response of which both men and women are capable of. Gender equality can enable us to work together to make a difference.

Even in Australia, gender stereotypes continue to have an impact on career choices for both women and men. While providing care and the desire to help and make a difference to the wellbeing of others is a human quality evident across all genders, care roles are still typically viewed as roles for women.

While around 30 percent of aged recipients are men, only 10 percent of carers in the sector are male. Female aged care workers make up approximately 90 percent of the sector’s workforce. This significantly high percentage of women in aged care roles is similar across all western countries.

Meanwhile, early childhood education in Australia is equally available to young boys and girls, yet when it comes to the workforce, around 97 percent of educators are women. That leaves as little as three percent of educators who are male.

The movement behind days like International Women’s Day help us to empower women to reach their fullest potential as a human being, not just as a women.

Our thanks to women on IWD

Women are a vital part of our team as trainers, support staff and leaders. This International Women’s Day, and every day, we send our thanks to all women. To the women we work with, we acknowledge the brilliant work you accomplish and the immense contribution you make.

At Catalyst, we will continue to support women to find the right career for them and succeed at every level across the workforce and in our communities.

 

As schools return for the year ahead, the Victorian Government’s Head Start traineeship program will make its mark on the early childhood education sector.

Head Start Apprenticeship Traineeship Program is supporting essential sectors like early childhood education to develop a highly skilled workforce while also allowing young people to make a start on their careers while completing their schooling.

Catalyst RTO Selmar is proud to be the partnering early childhood education course provider for the Head Start Apprenticeship Traineeship Program.

What is the Head Start Apprenticeship Traineeship Program?

Head Start is a new education pathway enabling secondary school students to make a start on vocational training. The program helps students to develop skills and experience that are valued by employers to students to get the best start in their careers.

Designed for students who are currently completing secondary school, Head Start presents the opportunity for young people to complete their Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL) or Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) while undertaking paid on-the-job training that leads to a vocational qualification.

The Head Start Apprenticeship Traineeship Program recognises that students learn in different ways, have different passions and can empower them to make their own career choices.

As a school-based traineeship, Head Start tailors vocational qualifications to make it achievable for students to complete their secondary school studies, as well as vocational training and paid practical training.

Rather than leave school to pursue a qualification and employment, students can continue to complete their secondary schooling while gaining the confidence, capabilities and skills needed to thrive in growth sectors such as early childhood education.

How Head Start supports Early Childhood Education services

Trainees can be a valuable addition to your early childhood education workforce. Traineeships present an advantageous opportunity for employers in early childhood education who seek to effectively train staff on the job within their workplace environment. This means the chance to develop the ideal team for your workplace from their commencement of training and beyond.

The Head Start Apprenticeship Traineeship Program matches your early learning service to a committed trainee. From there, you will be provided with one-on-one support from the Head Start Coordinator.

The Head Start Coordinator will assist you by creating a Head Start Pathway Plan for your trainee that is tailored to your centre. A trainee will be supported through their CHC30121 Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care coursework. This means you can enjoy the benefits of adding a passionate trainee to your team, without disruption to the way you like to run your centre.

Head Start is an opportunity for your early childhood education service to grow, training employees to meet the needs and standards of your business, improving retention along the way.

Selmar’s partnership with Head Start

The team at Selmar is committed to supporting young people in becoming future-ready and for the early childhood education sector to build a high quality, talented workforce. As such, Selmar is excited to be partnering with Head Start as an approved early childhood education and care training provider.

The experienced team of trainers at Selmar will be delivering quality training and conducting practical placement observation to maximise the outcomes for all involved with Head Start.

Head Start is focused on empowering young people to make a difference in the meaningful early childhood education sector. For early learning services, highly skilled and confident employees are always sought after and Head Start trainees will be equipped with the training and practical experience to thrive.

Get in touch with Selmar to learn more about Head Start.

The start of a new year often comes with a renewed energy and desire to hit the reset button. This is a great to time to assess your goals for the year and work out what you need to do to achieve them. Many business owners and managers are now thinking about what they want their business to look like this year and beyond.

It’s good to start at the end goal and work back from there so you can ensure you create an effective pathway to take your business in the direction you want it to go. This might include things like a reshuffle of your team, creating upskilling opportunities for your staff or building on your team to meet demand. First things first — ask yourself the key questions to help ascertain what your business needs.

What will your business look like in the New Year and beyond?

The answer to this question really depends on your approach, your focus and your current situation. What do you want your business to look like? Are you looking to grow? Do you have new projects in mind? Are there certain key areas you want to improve? Do you want to build your team? How do you want your staff to function and work together?

Write down a few questions like these and start noting some answers that come to mind. Consider prioritising them, and jot down what you think you can or need to do to make these goals become a reality.

Tips for recruiting new staff

If your goals include recruiting new staff or training your team, keep reading for some useful advice.

Recruitment takes time and energy, so getting right from the beginning is crucial. These tips will help:

Take your time preparing your job advertisement:

To attract the right person, you need to paint a clear picture of what the role involves and the type of candidate you are looking for. Describe your business and its values. Explain the expectations and try to be specific where possible. Consider also what you believe the right employee would be looking for and incorporate information that they would be interested in — this might be your employee benefits, flexible hours or salary perks. In creating the best possible job advertisement, you will hopefully narrow down the applicants to those who are well-suited.

Ensure they are well-trained:

When reviewing job applications, it’s one thing to know that an applicant had completed the required course or has the necessary experience, but why not dig deeper? Understanding where a person has completed their training can give you some further insight. Try to get an insight into which course providers training that will align their graduates with your approach to aged care. If they’re new to your sector, what sort of expectation do you have for them around hands-on experience? Could they have completed work experience or practical placement as part of their training? For many sectors, that hands-on experience is invaluable and quality training providers incorporate it many courses.

Consider their adaptive skills:

Training is important and knowing that your potential staff member has trained with a quality course provider is a big tick. However, don’t forget to consider their adaptive skills too. Sometimes known as soft skills, these qualities are crucial to support their technical skills in the workplace. Think emotional intelligence, communication, problem solving abilities and time management. These are vital for those working with others, in teams or communicating with customers or clients.

Ask the right questions:

When it comes time to interview your shortlisted candidates, think carefully about what questions you will ask to decide if they are the right fit. Some great questions to consider might be: What characteristics do you think are important for working in this business? What do you believe we do? What do you want to achieve in your role? Don’t forget to ask yourself questions when considering a candidate too — do they have the skills needed for the role, and will they help you achieve your business goals?

Retaining and supporting staff

Effective recruitment goes beyond the initial application, interview and hiring phase. Quality staff should be embraced and supported in order to keep them feeling fulfilled and nurtured as part of your team.

A key way to ensure employees experience job satisfaction in your workplace is by offering them ongoing training opportunities or professional development. This can increase their motivation and passion within the sector, keep them up to date with best practice and support their own career progression goals.

Careful recruitment along with upskilling your team can improve their ability and motivation to do their job to the highest standard, which can in turn help you achieve your business goals. Make this year the year that your business shines.

Reflecting as the year ends and a new one begins is something that many of us do. We assess what went right, what wasn’t so great, what worked, what didn’t work and so on. What will you do differently next year, and what brought fulfilment to your year?

For many, it wasn’t quite the year they had in mind. However, taking the time to reassess and set some realistic goals can be an effective way of moving forward in a positive way. Now is the perfect time to start setting yourself up for success in the New Year.

Reasons why we set goals

New year’s resolutions, fitness targets, savings plans — as human beings, goal setting seems to come naturally to many of us.

We can set goals for a range of reasons, and it’s usually a combination of these:

  • Finding motivation
  • Improving your current situation
  • Getting through your ‘wish list’ or ‘to do list’ in life
  • Helping get to your next step
  • Keeping yourself accountable

The SMART approach to goal setting

Of course, it’s one thing to set goals, but what can we do to help ourselves actually achieve them? You can approach goal setting in many ways — think of it personally, stick a note on your bathroom mirror, post it publicly to social media, team up with a friend. It’s important to find an approach that best suits you and seems to help you get the results you are striving for.

One particular approach that is highly regarded to improve your chance at succeeding in reaching your goals is taking the SMART approach. To be clear, that is an acronym, with SMART standing for specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound. Let’s take a closer look at each of these:

  • Specific: What do you want to accomplish and what needs to be done?
  • Measurable: How will you track your progress on achieving this goal?
  • Achievable: Know what is required to achieve the goal and be sure that it can be done based on any potential constraints.
  • Relevant: Is it worthwhile, is this the right time and what will I get from accomplishing it?
  • Time-bound: Work toward a deadline. When do you want to complete this goal and what mini-deadlines will help create a feasible timeline to get there.

Whether you want to run 5 kilometres in a certain time frame, or you are aiming to learn to play a song on guitar, using the SMART methodology is an excellent way to frame your goal setting.

The value of goal setting to fulfil potential

When we set goals, we are demonstrating hope for the future. We are foreshadowing a better version of ourselves and a journey of growth that we are excited for. As well as motivating us to get from where we are to where we want to be, goals can also contribute to improved mental health and wellbeing.

You can use the power of goal setting in a variety of settings each with unique outcomes. You might apply goals to your career, education, finances, family, physical health, mental health, creative endeavours, public service, relationships and more.

The combination of goal setting mobilising us to take action and improving our performance as we strive to achieve the goals can increase our ability to reach our potential and lead a fulfilling life where we continually move forward.

We’re here to support you in achieving your goals

If you’ve been considering where you are now and where you want to be, it’s possible that you are thinking about a new career path, ways to improve your business or how to better support those around you.

From new careers to upskilling workforces and training entire teams, Catalyst’s registered training organisations can support your journey and help you start making those goals a reality

The results are in from the latest survey from the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER), and Catalyst training organisations continue to deliver training satisfaction and employment outcomes for learners.

Informing and influencing the vocational education and training (VET) space in Australia drives NCVER’s research, and each year learners who have completed studies in the VET sector are invited to take part in their student outcomes survey.

Catalyst’s RTOs Selmar Institute of Education, Royal College of Healthcare and Practical Outcomes were included in the recent survey. All our brands are firm in the belief that education should be human-centred — as such, results such as those from the NCVER survey are important to us. They add to our own feedback processes to ensure that we are always maximising the outcomes for our learners, and providing a rewarding training experience.

Adapting to new ways of learning

As we, along with much of the world, shifted to studying online from the onset of the pandemic, optimising the distance and online learning experiences was of paramount importance. Our approach meant that learners received a dedicated trainer and comprehensive support regardless of their course delivery mode.

With over 91% of learners at Selmar and Practical Outcomes reporting that they were satisfied with the overall quality of their training, our efforts paid off for those enrolled in our courses.

Training to enhance outcomes in employment

Of course, while training experience is important, the outcomes for learners are a priority. Whether it’s upskilling or entering their chosen sector, where your studies take you really matters. For survey respondents who trained with Selmar, combining aged care learners and those completing studies in early childhood education, 90.1% of Selmar learners were employed or enrolled in further study after training with us, with 78.4% of Selmar learners reporting that they improved their employment status after completing their training with us.

Similar outcomes were experienced by respondents who were studying early childhood education sector at Practical Outcomes — 89.6% of Practical Outcomes’ learners were employed or enrolled in further study after training with us and 92.6% of our learners found Practical Outcomes’ training relevant to their job.

Achieving career goals

The aged care learners at Royal College reported meeting their goals too, with 85.8% of Royal College learners achieving their main reason for completing training. With employment — gaining employment or career progression — a key focus area for most learners, 96.4% of Royal College learners were employed or enrolled in further study after training with us, and 91.3% of our learners found Royal College’s training relevant to their job.

Striving for continual improvement and growth

The results of the annual NCVER Survey are promising and tell us that our RTOs are meeting the needs of learners in both the aged care sector and early childhood education and care sector. We also identify that there is room for improvement and look forward to continuing to listen and enhance the way we consider, design and deliver high quality vocational education. Together we can all reach our full potential.

About this report:

Information in the report is presented on Selmar/Practical Outcomes/Royal College qualification completers’ reasons for training, their employment outcomes, further study outcomes and satisfaction with training. The figures are derived from the National Student Outcomes Survey, which is an annual survey of VET students.

Pre-pandemic life can seem like a distant memory, especially for those in Victoria and New South Wales. After almost two years of studying from home, working from home, and/or adapting to challenging circumstances as essential workers in aged care and early childhood education, the time has come to explore the new normal.

With rising vaccination rates across the country and restrictions easing, the time has come for us to move into a post-lockdown world. While the prospect of heading back out into the world is exciting, not to mention seeing loved ones after months apart, you might feel nervous or worried. Rest assured this is completely normal. To ensure the transition to the new normal goes smoothly for you, we have compiled some tips that might help.

Move at your own pace

No doubt being able to access our freedoms again means there will be the opportunity to make some changes in your life. This doesn’t mean you have to transform the way you live overnight. Take some time to assess what might change in your life in the coming weeks and months and make plans with a timeline that feels right.

You might prefer to ease back slowly — rushing to fill every day in your calendar and visit every favourite restaurant right away isn’t necessary. If you need to, slow it down to a pace that suits you to build your confidence starting with places where you feel comfortable.

On the other hand, if you’re ready to jump in to life where you left off that’s fine too. Keep following the latest health and safety guidelines to keep yourself and your community safe while enjoying life in the way that makes you happy.

Making plans and setting goals

During lockdown you might have already reflected on your life and goals, and thought about what you want to achieve. Exploring new hobbies or activities, or even a new career could be on your agenda.

Any time is a great time to consider taking up a course or upskilling to advance your career. Aged care or early childhood education are two booming sectors are offering excellent job prospects for caring individuals who are seeking a career that is both rewarding and meaningful. Aged care workers deliver life-altering care for ageing individuals who require support to get the most from life. In early childhood education, you provide care for children from birth through to school age, supporting them through the most critical stage of development and laying the foundation for their education. Each is a career path with plenty of options to grow and thrive!

Maintain good habits

When we started adjusting to restrictions and changes when lockdowns were initially introduced, it became apparent how important daily routines can be. Same applies when looking at easing restrictions and their implications for our daily lives. Keeping some things as they are could be a good way of transitioning gently, for example your morning walk and coffee or evening reading hour.

Just because restrictions are coming to an end, it doesn’t mean you need to stop doing those activities that you really enjoyed during lockdown. Many people found themselves become passionate about cooking, exercise routines or hobbies at home, and it’s okay to continue with the things you have come to love – especially if they’ve been good for you!

It might be tempting to rush out and do everything all at once simply because we are allowed, but keep prioritising your self-care and don’t push yourself too hard. There’s plenty of time to enjoy those freedoms we’ve all been longing for.

Talk to your friends and families

If you feel anxious, apprehensive or nervous about the easing restrictions and our re-introduction into the world, reach out and talk to those around you. Your friends, family and colleagues can offer support and may even be experiencing similar feelings. After all, we’ve all been through this together and we’re coming out of it together too.

When making plans, don’t forget to check in with your friends, family and work colleagues about what they are comfortable doing. We are all different — communication is key to take a supportive approach as we navigate the new normal.

Remember, you might need to adjust your expectations a little because chances are life won’t be exactly the same as pre-pandemic but there are still so many fun and exciting things to do in the new normal.

Keep the resources below in mind for anyone who needs support for their mental health and wellbeing:

Lifeline Australia

Provide access to 24 hour crisis support and suicide prevention services.
Website: www.lifeline.org.au
Telephone: 13 11 14

Beyond Blue

Provides information, and support for depression, anxiety and suicide prevention.
Website: www.beyondblue.org.au
Telephone1300 224 636

Headspace

Provides young people with information and resources on mental health, physical health, work and study support, and alcohol and other drug services.
Website: www.headspace.org.au
Telephone: 1800 650 890

1800 Respect

Provides 24 hour support to people impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence and abuse.
Website: www.1800respect.org.au
Telephone: 1800 737 732

Mindspot

Provides free effective internet delivered psychological assessment and treatment for stress, anxiety, worry, depression, low mood, OCD and trauma (PTSD).
Website: www.mindspot.org.au
Telephone: 1800 614 434

Kids Helpline

Provides private and confidential 24/7 phone and online counselling service for young people aged 5 to 25.
Website: www.kidshelpline.com.au
Telephone: 1800 55 1800

National Debt Helpline

Helps people tackle their debt problems.
Website: www.ndh.org.au
Telephone: 1800 007 007

National Coronavirus Helpline

Provides information and advice about COVID-19.
Website: www.health.gov.au/contacts/national-coronavirus-helpline
Telephone: 1800 020 080