Laura Sutherland
Founder & Director, Above & Beyond Group | 3D Recruit
Biography
Laura Sutherland is a People & Culture specialist, Board Director and Business owner. Her core professional purpose is to support employers to fulfil the potential of their organisations by harnessing their most valuable asset – their people.
Trained in Psychology, Laura started her career in Mental Health and Aged Care. She moved into Recruitment and Workforce consultancy 19 years ago, specialising specifically in these sectors.
After working for large corporates, Laura identified the need for a bespoke service to meet the unique demands of Aged & Community Care, and started 3D Recruit back in 2012. Since then, the business has evolved, offering end-to-end workforce solutions ‘Above & Beyond’ recruitment to support people to ”stick, stay and do well”, in other words improve attraction, engagement and retention of talent in our sector.
Considered the go-to trusted advisor on workforce in Aged Care, Laura is committed to optimising our people power so that our whole industry can flourish into the future.
Workforce Attraction & Retention
The aged care sector faces a complex web of challenges when it comes to workforce attraction and retention. One of the primary challenges is the increasing demand for skilled professionals amidst a shortage of qualified workers. As the ageing population grows, there’s a pressing need for more healthcare providers, nurses, and support staff, putting immense strain on recruitment efforts. Additionally, the demanding nature of the work, can lead to burnout and high turnover rates among aged care workers. The industry must also contend with issues related to competitive compensation and perceived limited career advancement opportunities, which can deter potential employees and cause existing ones to seek better prospects elsewhere. These multifaceted challenges require a comprehensive approach, including improved training programs, better working conditions, and enhanced recognition for the vital role that aged care workers play in our communities.