HumanAbility’s Tasmanian Roadshows: Hobart and Launceston

Attendees came to HumanAbility's Tasmanian Roadshows with the same goal: making workforces in the care and support industry stronger.

With forums and a CEO roundtable in Hobart and Launceston, there was much to discuss, share and investigate.

The input from all stakeholders, particularly those based in regional parts of the state, was most welcome.

“Both Hobart and Launceston, they’re isolated from the mainland and they have specific issues in terms of workforce issues with (people) often moving to the mainland, it’s really hard to retain staff,” said Larry Price, HumanAbility’s director of stakeholder engagement.

An emerging theme from all the conversations about the care and support industries was the impact of migration and housing. A lack of migrant workers coming to Tasmania is hampered by a shortage of housing for them to live in. Both factors have made it difficult for employers to hire new staff and for workforces to meet demand.

Industry leaders shared their innovative strategies to combat these problems including partnerships between peak bodies and registered training organisations (RTOs). Collaborations such as these can foster the provision of skills to job seekers through pre-employment programs and industry taster experiences.

Stakeholders also pointed to the challenges of recruiting and training people in regions with significant poverty levels.

These difficulties are not easily overcome but are much better tackled with the experience and expertise of many.

“I think there’s opportunities to share experiences, to share successes and opportunities, to leverage from each other as well,” said Kellie Watson, Early Years and School Age Care Workforce Project Manager.

“I think the HumanAbility event was fantastic, we got to sit at a cross-sector table with lots of different conversations and diverse ideas and ways to solve the problems and issues in front of us,” said Trent Chilcott, Lived Experience Training Hub, Mental Health Council of Tasmania.

Thanks to all those who attended and contributed to our Tasmanian forums.