The Workforce Development Branch aims to enhance the capacity of specialist and mainstream agencies and workers in Western Australia to respond effectively to alcohol and other drug-related harm through evidence-based practice. The key strategies involve the translation of evidence into practical responses and assisting organisations to adopt new and supportive practices.
Core functions
The core functions of the Workforce Development Branch are:
- Ensuring access to quality information, education and training on drug use, drug-related harm, and prevention and treatment options through evidence-based practice.
- Building the capacity of agencies and workers to implement effective prevention and treatment practice.
- Facilitating and sustaining developments in the AOD and generic workforce at different levels, targeting current and future workers, and workplace systems.
- Contributing to strategies to ensure clear and effective pathways of care for people affected by drug use.
Key strategies
Strategic directions of the Workforce Development Branch involve working with the specialist alcohol and drug sector, mainstream organisations whose clients have a high incidence of alcohol and other drug-related harm, and community sectors to:
- Build the capacity of agencies and workers to identify and respond to alcohol and other drug-related harm, including overdose prevention, through workforce development.
Target groups
The Workforce Development Branch focuses on the following key target groups:
- Specialist alcohol and drug agencies, their workers, volunteers and clients.
- Mainstream organisations, including those whose clients have a high risk of alcohol and other drug-related harm.
- Educational institutions in the tertiary and vocational education and training (VET) sector across a range of health, welfare and community services.