The aged care sector is changing, and so is the workforce needed to support it.
At the La Trobe x Benetas Care Economy Innovation Sprint, students, recent alumni, and industry experts came together to explore new ideas for one of Australia’s most important sectors.
Tackling a real-world challenge
Over two immersive days at the Eagleworks Innovation Centre, La Trobe University students and recent alumni from diverse professional backgrounds worked alongside Benetas industry experts and La Trobe health researchers to explore challenges facing Australia’s care economy.
The focus was on how we can improve the way aged care careers are experienced, supported and perceived, particularly as the sector continues to evolve and demand for a skilled care workforce grows.
Rather than simply discussing the challenge, participants were tasked with developing ideas that could make a difference.
From ideas to prototypes
Using human-centred design, ideation, mentoring and rapid prototyping, teams worked through the challenge from different perspectives.
Participants began by building an understanding of the experiences and challenges facing the care workforce before identifying opportunities and developing potential solutions.
Working in teams, they turned their ideas into prototypes and pitched their concepts to a panel of industry experts.
The fast-paced format provides an opportunity to put innovation and problem-solving skills into practice while giving Benetas fresh perspectives on a complex industry challenge.
Collaboration at the heart of innovation
The Sprint demonstrated what can happen when universities and industry come together to tackle challenges that matter.
For students and recent alumni, the experience provided an opportunity to work directly with industry, develop practical skills and gain a deeper understanding of the challenges facing the care sector.
For Benetas, it created a space to engage with emerging talent and explore new ideas through perspectives from outside the organisation and from different professional backgrounds..
Celebrating the winning ideas
After two days of collaboration, prototyping and pitching, EagleSpark was named the Sprint winner, while Grace Under Pressure took home the People’s Choice Award.
Both teams demonstrated the creativity, empathy and problem-solving at the heart of the Innovation Sprint, showcasing how emerging talent can contribute fresh ideas to real-world industry challenges.
Bring your challenge to La Trobe in 2027
The Benetas Innovation Sprint is one example of how La Trobe works with industry partners to explore challenges, connect organisations with emerging talent, and create opportunities for innovation and entrepreneurship.
In 2027, La Trobe will continue to bring organisations and emerging innovators together through a new series of Innovation Sprints.
Does your organisation have a challenge worth exploring? Let’s partner
