FO FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                 DATE 25/05/10

 

 

Labor Senator Helen Polley today announced more than $560,714 to train aged care workers in Tasmania, with $102,729 allocated for Bass.

 

The funding is part of the Rudd Government’s $19.2 million investment to upskill more than 4,000 aged care workers nationally.

 

Senator Polley said: “The Rudd Government is investing in training the aged care workforce because a more highly skilled workforce will help to deliver even better care to older Australians.

 

“This investment is part of our ongoing commitment to improving the skills of our aged care workforce and part of our efforts to help aged care service providers recruit, train and retain valuable staff,” Senator Polley said.

 

Senator Polley said that this investment builds on the $135 million the Government has already provided to train more than 21,600 aged care workers and its 2010-11 Budget commitment of more than $310 million over the next four years for more than 31,000 aged care training places and scholarships.”

 

“We believe in better planning for our aged care workforce and the Government is investing to improve quality of care, build the aged care workforce of the future and provide financial incentives for aged care workers and nurses to undertake further study,” Senator Polley said.

 

“I am delighted that Tasmania will receive funding for 110 more aged care training places, with 22 of these workers situated in Bass.

 

“Our community like the rest of Australia is facing the challenges of an ageing population.

 

“With an ageing population and workforce shortages it is important that we continue to invest in our aged care workforce,” Senator Polley said.