August 31, 2023 Washington, DC ā LeadingAge, the association of nonprofit, mission-driven providers of aging services, is elevating key solutions and opportunities to help mitigate the workforce crisis in the aging services sector during National Workforce Development Month, September.Ā
The field of professional caregiving alone is projected to add a total of 8.2 million jobs between 2018 and 2028. This number includes 1.3 million new direct care jobsāa 28% increaseāand 6.9 million job openings that will occur when professional caregivers leave their existing jobs, more new jobs than any other occupation in the U.S. economy, according to a PHI Fact Sheet.Ā
āThere is no issue more pressing than workforce in aging services today,ā said LeadingAge President and CEO Katie Smith Sloan. āThe dedicated professionals supporting and caring for older adults are the heart of aging services, and we are committed to finding new, strategic ways to build the pipeline of qualified employees for our nonprofit and mission-driven members.ā
LeadingAge will focus on apprenticeship strategies as part of the solution to the ongoing workforce crisis and to drive system change. The organization will convene an expert panel for a virtual event on September 26 to discuss the ways apprenticeships can grow the workforceādevelop highly skilled workers, reduce turnover, increase productivity, and offer a pathway to career advancement.
āWe are committed to providing support to our members adopting numerous workforce strategies to meet their current challenges,ā said Jenna Kellerman, LeadingAge workforce strategies and solutions director. āWith an influx of creative solutions to bolster the aging services sectorāstarting with programs to recruit, train, and retain a highly skilled workforceāour nation can ensure we all thrive as we age.ā
LeadingAgeās ongoing advocacy through the Aging Services Workforce Now campaign presses for immediate investment in the aging services workforceāreminding Congress that without staff, there is no care. It will take strong federal support for a living wage, training and programs to recruit and retain qualified staff, focused efforts to build a pipeline to expand the workforce, and reform to long-term care finance to provide access to care and services for all older adults and families.
In addition, LeadingAge will kick off a national-local coordinated effort to elevate the range of career opportunities in aging services and highlight exceptional aging services professionals.Ā
LeadingAge market research among potential employees found favorable impressions of the sector and an interest in a range of jobs. The findings also revealed potential applicants may not be aware of the numerous career paths within the field. This monthās efforts will highlight key areas of opportunityāadministration, caregiving, culinary, environmental services, lifestyle, service coordinators, and transportationāon LeadingAge social media platforms, while LeadingAge members around the United States spotlight their employees locally.Ā
āThis month LeadingAge will share the vast variety of career opportunities that can help dedicated professionals build a career with a purpose,ā said Sloan. āWe invite individuals who seek more than a jobāa role with meaning that brings fulfillmentāto look no further than aging services.ā