Upskilling beneficial for healthcare career
The healthcare sector is ever-evolving, which means that technologies and processes continue to advance. Because of this, there is a constant need for healthcare professionals to ensure their expertise remains relevant and of a high standard.
Career development is essential for improving healthcare services, so many employers actively encourage staff to gain a formal qualification alongside their roles. Healthcare Assistants are typically required to achieve a Level 2 or 3 qualification during their employment.
New Zealand Tertiary College (NZTC)’s Health and Wellbeing Team Lead Mehak Kapoor says that upskilling allows graduates to gain important skills and knowledge to serve the complex needs of clients in the health and wellbeing sector.
“Studying empowers graduates to enhance their leadership skills, work collaboratively with their wider healthcare team, provide quality person-centred support for clients, and extend support to their clients’ family/whānau and wider communities.
“Gaining a higher qualification such as the Level 3 or Level 4 not only makes graduates eligible for pay equity, but it also allows for better job opportunities too.”
Currently partway through the New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing – Health Assistance Strand (Level 3) program, NZTC student Andrea Brown shares her thoughts on why she decided to gain a formal qualification.
“We live in a world that is always changing – including healthcare and the way it is delivered. Therefore, it is important to keep our learning up-to-date in order to provide the best possible care.
“The Level 3 is giving me a greater depth of knowledge about the clients I am working with. It is a great starting point and will be a wonderful stepping stone towards future studies.”
An occupation outlook report by The New Zealand Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment shared that healthcare workers are likely to be eligible for increased work opportunities with the elderly and people with disabilities when qualifications are acquired beyond the Level 2 and 3 expectation.