Submissions

QAMH welcomes the opportunity to provide a submission to the Standing Committee on Employment, Education and Training (the Committee) as part of its Inquiry into the Perceptions and Status of Vocational Education and Training. The VET system plays an integral role in the delivery of community mental health and wellbeing services, with the Certificate IV in Mental Health and the Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work both common pathways into the sector.

However, a plethora of possible entry pathways to the sector exist, creating challenges in promoting a career Community Mental Health and Wellbeing to students, parents, teachers and those considering a mid-career change. Significant concerns have also been raised about the suitability of the content and delivery, as well as a perceived lack of academic support and difficulty securing student placements. These concerns have created a situation where the Certificate IVs are not as valued by industry and the wider community as they perhaps should be. As the sector faces a looming labour shortage, addressing these concerns is paramount in order to attract more students and grow the pipeline into our sector.

QAMH believes there are opportunities for the Commonwealth to positively influence these issues impacting the Community Health and Wellbeing Sector.