Please note that this study was embarked on prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Whilst the true impact of COVID-19 on the Australian job market is unprecedented and unknown, we recognise that the sectors of focus in this study, Aged Care and Hospitality, are significantly affected. The final wave of research for the study was adapted to acknowledge the enormous impact of COVID-19 in 2020.
Introduction
Retention of staff in both the Aged Care sector and the Commercial Cookery sector (which sits within the Hospitality sector) has long been an issue. Poor perception of jobs in the sectors, coupled with lower pay rates than other industries, means that all too often, jobs in these sectors are considered short-term options, while candidates look to advance into other areas.
SkillsIQ engaged Wallis Market and Social Research to undertake this important research study in 2018 to better understand the perspectives of learners and to produce statistically robust data to measure vocational outcomes, satisfaction and the employment experiences of graduates who recently completed qualifications in:
- Aged Care; and
- Commercial Cookery.
The findings of the study aim to inform workforce policy and strategy for enhancing the attraction of, and retention within, these sectors.
Longitudinal Research Program
Overview of Methodology
Note: Wave 2 and Wave 3 involve recontacting those students who registered and participated in Wave 1. Steps 01 and 02 are therefore not applicable to these latter waves.
Project Status and Findings
Wave 1 [COMPLETED]
A summary of the findings is available via the following links: