Building confidence for the next generation of aged care workers

Preparing new aged care workers for the realities of the sector takes more than technical skills. Strong communication, empathy and confidence are increasingly recognised as essential for supporting older people, working alongside families and navigating complex workplace situations.

To help address this challenge, Australian Catholic University (ACU) has been trialling an innovative professional development program designed to strengthen the interpersonal skills of future aged care workers before they enter the workforce.

Supported through an Applied Research Grant from the TAFE Centre of Excellence Health Care and Support, the Inspire & Thrive: Building Carer Confidence project is generating valuable insights into how interpersonal capability can be developed during training to better prepare students for careers in aged care.

Developed in partnership with TAFE Queensland, the project has worked with Certificate III in Individual Support - Ageing (CHC33021) students to build practical skills in areas such as conflict de-escalation, trauma-informed communication, empathy and trust-building across cultural and generational differences.

According to ACU Head of Healthy Ageing Professor Laurie Buys, the project responds to a critical knowledge gap often experienced by newly qualified aged care workers.

"Newly qualified workers are thrust into the complexity of aged care practice, juggling the often-conflicting needs of older people, families and employers within a strictly regulated environment," Professor Buys said.

While graduates may leave training with the technical knowledge required for the role, many have limited experience managing difficult conversations, supporting families through emotional situations or navigating workplace relationships. Previous research has shown that targeted professional development immediately before or after graduation can help workers feel more prepared for these challenges and better equipped to thrive in emotionally demanding environments.

The research is also exploring a broader workforce challenge: how best to engage time-poor and geographically dispersed aged care learners in professional development. Students participating in the project were able to choose from three delivery modes, including face-to-face workshops, facilitated online sessions and a self-paced e-learning program.

"Offering three different delivery modes has been essential for our research team to examine students' experiences of the program while providing flexible opportunities for as many students as possible to participate," Professor Buys said.

Beyond testing the program itself, the research is examining how different learning approaches influence the adoption and long-term sustainability of person-centred care practices. The findings will contribute to a growing evidence base on how training can improve workforce readiness, care quality, resilience and retention across the aged care sector.

As part of the project, ACU has developed a suite of practical learning resources, including facilitator materials, a self-paced online module featuring scenario-based videos, and a participant workbook containing activities, reflection exercises and communication tools. Once the project concludes, these resources will be shared through TAFE Queensland and the National TAFE Network, creating opportunities for wider adoption across the vocational education and training sector.

TAFE Centre of Excellence Health Care and Support Executive Director Renee Hindmarsh said the project reflects industry priorities around workforce wellbeing and work readiness.

"This project is exploring practical ways to build confidence, communication skills and resilience among emerging care workers and has the potential to deliver positive outcomes for both the workforce and the people receiving care," Ms Hindmarsh said.

"Projects like Inspire & Thrive provide valuable evidence to help educators, employers and industry partners better prepare graduates for the realities of contemporary aged care practice."

As demand for aged care workers continues to grow, applied research projects such as Inspire & Thrive are helping ensure graduates enter the workforce with not only the technical skills required for the role, but also the confidence and communication capabilities needed to deliver high-quality, person-centred care.