Speak Out April 2017 low res

14 / 40

14 Speak Out April 2017
IAN YORSKI JOINS the Association as its new social media
and online communication guru or, in official speak, as
“Communications Officer”. Ian is a very recent (September
2016) arrival from Canada and joins the Association via Monash
College in Melbourne and the Alzheimer Society of Manitoba.
Ian’s expertise includes desktop design and
publishing, and online video content. A
video Ian made for the Alzheimer Society
of Manitoba has had over 9000 views on
Facebook, in addition to 1200 on YouTube.
At the Association, Ian provides support to
the communication and marketing team,
while being responsible for components
of the Association’s social media
platforms, e-News newsletters and online
publications. Contact Ian at support@
.
Ian joins the SPA team
IN THE PAST five years the number of entry level speech
pathology programs has increased from 19 to 24 programs
across 15 universities. In 2017 planning for two new entry level
speech pathology programs will commence at the University of
Canberra and Swinburne University of Technology. It is anticipated
that these new programs will commence taking students in 2018.
The development of a new university program, or suite of
programs is driven from the strategic plan of a university and
typically involves significant research into understanding market
demand. This may or may not include consultation with Speech
Pathology Australia.
Universities do not require the permission or approval of
Speech Pathology Australia to commence a new program.
The role of Speech Pathology Australia is to inform universities
of the accreditation requirements and discuss issues relevant
to the profession. In 2016 the Board of Speech Pathology
Australia approved a statement to be circulated to universities
wishing to commence new programs. The statement provides
information on workforce indicators and the current supply of
speech pathologists, and discusses challenges universities
have experienced and how these may impact on the capacity
of universities to deliver programs and to obtain and maintain
accreditation.
Speech Pathology Australia aims to work collaboratively with all
universities to ensure graduates meet or exceed the required
competencies for the profession. In addition universities strive
to prepare graduates with skills and knowledge based on
their university/faculty vision and mission, graduate attribute
requirements or program specific focus. This has resulted in
graduates having a broad and diverse range of competencies that
enrich the speech pathology workforce. If you wish to know more
about the university accreditation process please refer to:
SPAweb
Resources for the Public Become a Speech Pathologist
Speech pathology university programs
Stacey Baldac
Senior Advisor, Professional Standards
Association news