Student traineeships

Valmar Support Services case study

In a unique initiative to encourage young people to consider the disability and community care sector as a career path, Valmar Support Services (based in Tumut, NSW) implemented a unique 2 year school-based traineeship in 2009.

Valmar’s pilot was implemented as part of a larger National Workforce Project run by National Disability Services (NDS), in which 13 organisations across Australia trialled a range of strategies to address their local workforce issues.

The participating organisations chose to address various workforce challenges, including high turnover, gender and age profile mix, and rapid service growth. Most pilots included strategies to strengthen relationships with local training providers, to better engage staff and other stakeholders, and to review job descriptions and working arrangements.

The challenge Valmar provides a wide range of services to people with disabilities and their carers, the frail aged and youth at risk. These services cover the areas of Tumut, Yass Valley, Tumbarumba, Goulburn, Gundagai and Queanbeyan in rural NSW. The current workforce is predominantly made up of women aged 40-54 years.

As part of the National Workforce Project, Valmar’s school-based traineeship pilot proposal identified the need to attract younger people to the organisation, to help meet future skill shortages and to address the needs of younger clients requiring age appropriate support.

Valmar also strongly felt the need to increase the general awareness of the disability sector as a good career choice, rather than as just a job.

The strategy

Human Resources Manager, Linda Walsh and Human Resources Coordinator, Gaye Duncan were the driving force behind Valmar’s pilot, the first of its kind in NSW. Over a year, they worked with multiple stakeholders, including local schools, NDS, the Board of Studies, Vocational Education and Training in Schools (VETIS), and the NSW Community Services and Health Industry Training Advisory Board (CSH-ITAB).

“There were many challenges and hurdles along the way but it was all worth it to get the pilot off the ground. There are not enough young people coming into the sector and we need all sorts of skill-sets. We wanted it to be a real and holistic experience for participants,” said Gaye.

Seventeen year old Brodie (pictured above) was one of the two trainees involved in Valmar’s pilot school-based traineeship, which commenced in early 2009. As part of her experience she worked at Valmar one day a week and also completed a Certificate III in Disability Work through TAFE.

“Originally I wanted to do nursing as my mum is a nurse and I just love being around people. When Linda and Gaye came to our school to promote the program, I was in year 10 and something about what they were saying sparked an interest in me.”

Soon after, Brodie had started her traineeship and was being introduced to Valmar’s broad range of services across the local region.

“I thought I might have been a bit shocked at first but I was fine. Initially I was really surprised at how big Valmar is and I loved the first group home I worked in. There is one particular client who I like spending time with. She is highly dependent on the staff and can’t speak. She is great to work with as she is so good at helping us help her,” says Brodie.

As part of her traineeship Brodie worked alongside various staff at Valmar in a range of capacities. These experiences included taking clients on outings and to medical appointments, participating in group activities, providing one on one support and completing administrative jobs. The impact of the program on staff was also positive with many obvious changes in their approach to work and in supporting the two trainees.

“We were always doing something different and the staff at Valmar are really supportive. They trained me in what I needed to do with clients. At the end of the day each week I caught up with Linda and Gaye to talk through my experiences and any questions or concerns I had,” says Brodie.

The results

By the time the traineeship concluded in late 2010 Brodie had completed her Higher School Certificate, worked at Valmar over 100 days and completed her Certificate III in Disability Work. During Brodie’s busy 2 years she also regularly met with her TAFE teacher, worked Part Time at a doctor’s surgery and played sport in her local community.

“As Brodie progressed through the traineeship it’s like we lived her life with her. We almost took on a bit of a mothering role as we guided her through and encouraged her interest in particular areas. She had a great level of commitment, with a heavy workload, but she took it all in her stride,” says Gaye.

As a sign of her commitment and success, Brodie was awarded the Riverina Region School Based Apprentice of the Year in Disability Work in July 2010. The Australia-wide award recognises apprentices, trainees and other vocational students who have made outstanding achievements throughout their training. Winners were selected by the Riverina Training Awards Committee and the Vocational Education and Training in Schools Committee.

As a result of the program’s success the traineeship vocation of Community Services - Disability is now being offered to year 10 students in the latter part of their School Certificate year.

Valmar has also had an increased amount of enquiries from young people in the local region seeking information on possible career paths at Valmar, and the sector generally. Valmar plans to further develop links with local schools to ensure that the service, and the sector as a whole, stays top of mind for young people when considering their career prospects.

Latest update

Valmar have continued the traineeship program and has one trainee in the 2012 program. Brodie is now working for Valmar in their supported accomodation program and is also studying for a Certificate IV in Allied Health.

Further information

A series of information sheets and resources have been produced by carecareers to assist employers, and students, parents, schools, to find out more about School-based Traineeships in the NSW disability sector.

For more information about Valmar and their traineeship program phone 02 6947 4150 or email gayeduncan@valmar.com.au.