ANTU Aging Symposium
The Aging Network Tilburg University (ANTU) is organizing an afternoon dedicated to research on topics related to aging and lifespan development. We are more than excited that Prof. Dr. Philip Taylor, Professor at the Institute for Employment Research at the University of Warwick, will give a keynote address entitled ‘Essential Capabilities for Managing the Aged Care Workforce’.
The afternoon will also include talks from researchers from different Tilburg University departments associated with ANTU and a poster session. If you are interested in presenting a poster, feel free to indicate it in the sign-up sheet. Please find the abstract for the keynote and a preliminary schedule below.
Register before September 9th 2024 via this form
Preliminary Agenda
- 13:00 Registration
- 13:30 Welcome & Introduction
- 13:45 Keynote Philip Taylor
- 14:45 Coffee break
- 15:15 Flash talks
- 16:30 Poster flash talks
- 17:00 Posters & Drinks
Abstract and Bio Keynote - Philip Taylor
Essential Capabilities for Managing the Aged Care Workforce
Amid ongoing concerns about meeting the staffing needs of aged care providers, arguably exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a need to understand better the skills and capabilities required of managers in the sector. Internationally, the management of the aged care workforce has been neglected by the research literature and recent public inquiries into the sector. The sector’s leadership and workforce have been under scrutiny for some time, and the context of COVID-19 has shone further light on their limited ability to respond to crises. It is recognised that operational deficiencies in the organisation and characteristics of the sector’s workforce and its socio-cultural positioning have contributed to sub-optimal functioning. The challenges in managing the aged care workforce are well known, as providers continue to grapple with staffing levels, recruitment and retention, inadequate training, low pay and lack of career pathways. This project collated evidence that could inform policymaking among care providers and national decision-makers. An evidence review of relevant international grey and academic literature was undertaken. This demonstrates fundamental agreement that well-managed staff provide better care. The paper reports key information regarding building capabilities in care workforce management, particularly identifying gaps in understanding the optimal delivery mechanisms of skills to managers and evidence for the impact of management training on workforce outcomes and care quality. Recommendations for addressing issues of managing aged care work are put forward.
Philip Taylor is a Professor at the Institute for Employment Research at the University of Warwick. He has over 30 years of experience as an expert researcher, policy writer and governmental and NGO advisor on workforce ageing and retirement behaviour. He is a Fellow of the Gerontological Society of America and Associate Editor of Ageing & Society. In 2018 he was the Australian Association of Gerontology Glenda Powell Travelling Fellow on the topic ‘working in ageing and working while ageing’.