Building caring careers through the Opal HealthCare Academy

As Australia’s ageing population grows so does the need for capable and competent aged care workers who can deliver the highest standard of care. To us, continually investing in training and developing our current and future team is essential, that’s why we launched the Opal HealthCare Academy in 2021.

Supporting career pathways across residential aged care

The Academy brings our extensive suite of training and development programs together under one umbrella and supports career pathways across every aspect of residential aged care. It’s how we provide sustainable career pathways for our team and deliver high quality care for our residents now and into the future.

Our six schools of education encompassing every area of residential aged care:

• Nursing and Health Services
• Hospitality
• Wellbeing and Meaningful Engagement
• Business Services
• Research
• Leadership

Shannon Young, National Learning and Organisational Development Manager, says that each school has career development pathways mapped, including the required qualifications and role capabilities for our team to guide their development.

“As our team complete courses and progress along their desired pathways they can acquire the knowledge and confidence needed to advance in their careers,” she said.

“This sector at this time, more than any other, demands the best of the best of us and our development pathways are here to guide our team to be just that – their best.”

Our tertiary education partners

In addition to our bespoke programs, our team can access learning programs provided by our tertiary education partners , including Western Sydney University, the University of Tasmania, Torrens University, the University of Wollongong, University of Sydney, TAFE colleges, the Australian College of Nursing, the Australasian College for Infection Prevention and Control and the Australian Apprenticeship Support Network.

Online learning programs can be accessed via the Opal HealthCare Academy website, where team can enrol in bespoke, transitional or leadership programs, or apply for an Opal HealthCare Scholarship to undertake external study. Our courses are delivered online and in-person to meet the unique needs and learning styles of our team.

Supporting our team

Our team member, Jessica, joined Opal HealthCare as a registered nurse straight after graduating from university. She found the program a valuable bridge between theoretical learning and the practical application of skills.

“The Graduate Nurse program greatly benefited me,” Jessica said.

“It touched base on things that I never learnt at university, as well as communicating in practice, so I was learning every day and I was applying those skills in my day-to day work life.”

This year we will launch digital badging through Credly, which provides team who successfully complete our development programs with verified credentials – the digital equivalent of paper certificates – to recognise their achievements.

The Opal HealthCare Academy is a community where Learning is living. By investing in the education and training of our team and creating exciting and sustainable career pathways we are better equipped to deliver the best possible care for our residents.