New Projects

In 2017, NCETA, in partnership with the Northern Territory (NT) Primary Health Network (PHN) undertook a comprehensive examination of the workforce development needs of the NT alcohol and other drug (AOD) sector. The Needs Assessment identified eight Recommended Actions to further support the NT AOD workforce. Each Recommended Action has a series of identified workforce development (WFD) strategies (total of 58 strategies). For more information about the Needs Assessment, please see the May 2018 edition of Drug and Alcohol Research Connections.

Building on the Needs Assessment, NCETA has been commissioned to develop a five year NT-specific AOD WFD Strategic Framework. The Strategic Framework will focus on high level WFD strategic planning initiatives designed to operationalise responses to the Recommended Actions. While the primary focus will be on specialist AOD services consideration will also be given to the WFD needs of other services and providers.

The Strategic Framework will also be informed by the unique and challenging features of the NT with particular emphasis on:

• The WFD needs of the NT AOD Aboriginal Workforce
• Developing a model for recruitment, retention and professional development
• Career pathways.

High level key stakeholders who will be involved in the development of the Strategic Framework include, but are not limited to the NT PHN, Department of Health Mental Health and AOD Directorate, Association of Alcohol and other Drug Agencies NT, Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance NT, Central Australian Aboriginal Congress, Top End Health Service, Central Australian Health Service, Remote AOD Workforce and Menzies School of Health Research.

In developing the Strategic Framework, NCETA will:

• Align it to National AOD WFD Strategy 2015-2018
• Acknowledge similar NT WFD initiatives
• Ensure its compatibility with NT-specific policy and legislative developments
• Incorporate the extant evidence-base and established WFD approaches.