Epidemiology training and workforce competencies

In recent years the AEA have been investigating epidemiology training in Australia through a series of workshops at successive AEA conferences, and the initiation of an epidemiology workforce working group. This activity has been prompted by concern across the profession about the size and capacity of the epidemiological workforce in Australia, with many senior AEA members expressing concern about a lack of 'higher-level' and 'research-capable' epidemiologists, and the 'industry-readiness' of current graduates. The discussions to date have focussed on defining the issues around the epidemiological skills shortage in Australia, and the strategies and existing training models for building the epidemiology workforce. The most recent workshop at a lunchtime session at the 2008 Population Health Congress involved discussion of some of the key epidemiology training issues from the perspectives of employers and trainers, and the role the AEA might have in strengthening the epidemiology workforce. A summary of the workshop is described below.Alice Rumbold, Catherine Bennett and Catherine Harpe