101: Certificate III in Aged Care - Career Prospects

This article will look at the elderly care industry general, the course outline of the qualification and possible career prospects for students completing the aged and community care training course.

The Certificate III in Aged Care

Like many thousands of Australians, you may be working within the bustling field of aged care. Or, you may be considering a career in the aged or community care sector. Many people with an interest in caring for the nation's elderly undertake formal vocational qualifications. Currently, the Certificate III is the entry standard for the industry. This ensures older Australian's are benefiting from experienced and qualified individuals who have invested their own time into learning about the requirements of aged care.

The most popular qualifications is the Certificate III in Aged Care. However, a large majority of students also undertake vocational courses concurrently. An example may be undertaking the Cert III in conjunction with another related qualification like the Cert III in Disability Care or the Certificate III in Home and Community Care. There is also opportunity to progress onto higher qualifications including Cert IV and Diplomas.

Course Outline of the Cert III

The Cert III is generally offered through online, distance, blended or face-to-face mode. By undertaking the course you will learn to both support the elderly and provide personal care needs. You will understand and obtain the knowledge to answers to client's psychological and emotional needs. By completing aged and community care training you will also learn to realise differences within culturally diverse environments and gain knowledge to assist individuals with differing types of medication.

This qualification comprises of ten core units and four electives and can be undertaken during a twelve month basis in conjunction with work experience.

Career Pathways and Options

Completing an aged or community care qualification opens your career pathways immensely. By 2050, more than one million Australians will be working within the aged care sector. To achieve this, the government has recognised that they need to expand the current aged care workforce by over four times its size. After completing your Cert III in Aged Care you have the option of going on to future study, or entering the workforce.

Potential career paths include becoming an assistant in nursing, disability service worker, field officer, community support or personal care worker.

Find out more about care courses and join on of the fastest increasing network of Australia's workers in the nation's greatest growth sector of 2012 and beyond.

Inspire Education is a leading provider of nationally recognised and nationally accredited courses.