Speak Out June 2021

The Workforce Analysis Project is an exciting, timely and crucial step for the Association to understand and respond to the current and future needs of the speech pathology profession in Australia. A national approach to capture data about workforce trends of speech pathologists and employers will support attainment of SPA’s 2030 Aspirations and 2020-2022 Strategic Plan, and thereby grow and encourage a workforce of increasing diversity and responsiveness to diverse communities. The Association is pleased to announce the appointment of specialist consultancy group AHP Workforce , comprising leading researchers and analysts Dr Susan Nancarrow, Dr Anna Moran and with Ms Rhiannon Memery, to steer the landmark Workforce Analysis Project. AHP Workforce will work closely with the Association to understand workforce developments and issues across the speech pathology profession, greatly enhancing the capacity for the Association to advocate for speech pathologists and ascertain the supports the Association needs to develop now and into the future. There has been substantial growth across the membership, especially over the past five years, and we now have more than 12,000 members. Of these, there are an incredible 10,000 certified practising members, compared to 6,044 practicing members at the end of 2015. With all this growth in the profession, the Workforce Analysis Project will serve to support the development of a process to capture information that will facilitate understanding of the speech pathology profession that will be replicable in the future. By capturing accurate and reliable data trends, the project will be instrumental in the Association's capacity to advocate for the profession now and the future. Workforce analysis Preparing for our future

By effectively collecting and analysing data, the Workforce Analysis Project will aptly provide a detailed profile of the supply, demand and distribution of the profession, including locations, context and factors related to gaps in services and influences in recruitment and retention. It is anticipated that the project will take up to 12 months to complete. The membership will be presented with updates over the course of the project’s development leading up to the end of 2022. We are thrilled to be liaising with AHP Workforce on this project and conducting the speech pathology profession workforce analysis to further enhance the profession. Watch this space for more updates! If you wish to learn more about AHP Workforce, please visit: https:// ahpworkforce.com/about/

Rhiannon Memery

Dr Susan Nancarrow

Dr Anna Moran

Stacey Baldac Manager Professional Standards

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Speak Out | June 2021