Resource Development for Aged Care: Collaboration Is Key
Parachute Education Consultants recently collaborated with trainers from a community-based RTO and health workers from BUPA to develop an innovative suite of learning resources and assessments for students studying CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing).
The learner cohort included people from disadvantaged backgrounds, many with low literacy and/or from CALD communities. The purpose of the course was to prepare learners for employment in the aged care sector. The focus of the course was therefore on experiential learning, to allow learners time to practise occupational language and skills and build confidence in a safe, supportive environment.
With input from the healthcare worker, a simulated workplace was set up at the RTO with industry standard equipment, software and processes found in many aged care centres.
Discussions with the health care experts enabled Parachute to incorporate authentic work tasks and policies that mirrored the work place. On the advice of the BUPA representative, extra activities such as reading vital signs were included to ensure the graduates were both work ready and could adjust to the demands of being a carer.
Industry consultation revealed communication and written documentation was a skill gap for CALD workers so extra communication practice and written documentation activities were included.
Given the specific language and literacy needs of this cohort, all resources were designed to be visually appealing incorporating Universal Design principles, written in plain English with information scaffolded and contextualised around practical work tasks.
The courseware was audited by the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority (VRQA) and found to be compliant. Given that aged care qualifications have been subject to close scrutiny by VET regulators, this was a particularly significant outcome and the client was delighted the quality of the resources and their implementation had been independently confirmed through the audit process.
The RTO has been using these resources for a couple of terms now and students report enjoying the course, particularly the opportunities to apply the theory in hands-on activities and gain practical experience before entering the workforce. A BUPA representative indicated these graduates were far more job- ready than cohorts from other RTOs.
It is rewarding to see how courses can be made relevant and engaging for specific learners, when there is close collaboration between instructional designers, industry and trainers.
If you are looking for assistance developing or updating training and assessment materials, please don’t hesitate to contact us.