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Acknowledgement of Country

In the spirit of reconciliation, CheckUP acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples should be aware that this website contains images or names of people who have passed away.

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Who we are

CheckUP works with partner organisations and health providers to create healthier communities and reduce health inequities through a range of initiatives.

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There are so many ways you can support the work of CheckUP and our vision of better health for the people and communities that need it most.

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Industry and workforce development programs

Industry and workforce development programs

Grow Your Own Workforce

The Grow Your Own web-based resource is part of a collaborative partnership between CheckUP Australia and Queensland Health’s Workforce Strategy Branch (WSB).

The purpose of the Grow Your Own resource is to strengthen the Queensland health sector’s efforts to develop a capable and sustainable local health workforce.

Designed to be a one-stop shop, it includes practical workforce planning tools, Grow Your Own (GYO) guides, information about funding for recruitment and training, useful contacts, and good practice case studies.

Visit the Grow Your Own Workforce website for more information.

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The Grow Your Own (GYO) approach

GYO is a term used to describe a place-based workforce model that focuses on attracting, developing, supporting and retaining local residents, at any level and in any discipline, in an effort to create a sustainable pipeline of workers.

It essentially involves two separate but complementary approaches, namely an outside-in and an inside-up approach.

Outside-in approach

In outside-in approach is when an employer looks to fill a position with a suitable person outside the business. It involves strategies to increase attraction, development, and inclusive employment opportunities specifically for locals. In many instances, local job seekers may have otherwise faced barriers to employment. An inclusive recruitment approach allows and encourages people of all working ages, and socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds to participate in paid work and provides a framework for their development.

Inside-up approach

A GYO program should not end once a local candidate is employed. Outside-in strategies should be complemented by inside-up initiatives that focus on the retention and advancement of local employees. Through succession planning, mentoring, training, job coaching and career progression opportunities, an organisation can keep the local workforce pipeline moving.

Benefits of Grow Your Own Workforce

A place-based workforce planning and development approach involving community engagement and partnerships can address critical workforce gaps and deliver broader health, economic, education and social and community benefits.

As such, the value of implementing a Grow Your Own program is not exclusive to the health sector.

Health system
  • Builds stable, skilled, diverse workforce.
  • Improves morale and retention.
  • Improves capacity, productivity and continuity of service delivery.
  • Improves ability to deliver more culturally-sensitive services.
Economic
  • Saves recruitment costs, resourcing and time.
  • Improves retention, reducing costs associated with job turnover.
  • Increases local spending, benefiting other local business.
  • Boosts further job creation.
  • Attracts increased local investment.
  • Builds more livable communities.
Social & community
  • Contributes to closing inequality in education, employment and health.
  • Assists to reduce “brain drain” and population decline in rural and remote areas.
  • Increases personal and household income, and reduces poverty.
  • Breaks intergenerational cycles of unemployment.
Education
  • Improves transition from education to employment.
  • Enhances opportunities to gain practical work experience.
  • Increases student engagement and reduces student drop out.
  • Improves student networks with potential employers.
Contact us

If you would like to learn more about the project, please email the Choose Your Own Health Career team.

Sabrina Kerr
Gateway Program Manager
CheckUP
Email: sabrinakerr@checkup.org.au
Phone: 07 3105 8300