Strengthening Australia’s Clinical Trial Workforce: How the PROgress Program Delivers Impact Across Diverse Research Settings
Australia’s clinical trials sector is under increasing pressure due to significant workforce shortages, particularly in regional, rural, and remote (RRR) areas. A lack of structured career pathways, high staff turnover, and limited access to training have all contributed to critical capacity constraints. These challenges are slowing down clinical trial timelines, increasing operational costs, and limiting patient access to research, particularly in underserved communities.
In response, PRAXIS Australia has developed the PROgress Program, a national, immersive workforce development initiative designed to build a skilled, sustainable clinical trial workforce. While the program has demonstrated a strong impact through its partnership with three Nationally-funded clinical trial programs demonstrating it is a flexible and widely applicable model, suitable for on-site, Teletrial, hospital-based, academic, and private sector trial models.
The Solution: PROgress – an immersive on-site clinical trial program
The PROgress Program is a three-month, career-entry and development initiative designed for both new entrants and existing staff seeking to upskill. It offers a blended learning experience, integrating:
- PRAXIS online training modules
- Live virtual workshops
- On-site, practical experience at clinical trial sites
- Formal mentoring and leadership development training for participants and their mentors
- Access to a national community of practice
This program incorporates core competency training across ethics and governance, patient recruitment, investigational product handling, data management, and safety reporting. Developed using adult learning principles and aligned with sector needs, PROgress lays a strong foundation for participants to become confident and capable Clinical Trial Coordinators.
Built on Proven National Initiatives
PROgress is informed by PRAXIS’s experience delivering high-impact, nationally funded workforce initiatives.
These include:
- MTPConnect’s MRFF-funded programs, addressing sector-wide trial readiness
- DISR/Omico’s PrOSPeCT Program, focused on precision oncology trial capability
- The Australian Teletrial Program (ATP), bringing trial access to RRR communities
PROgress builds on the most successful elements of these programs to offer a comprehensive, scalable workforce solution. These collaborations have demonstrated the power of tailored, immersive learning experiences that not only train new staff but also support site leadership and mentoring capacity, ensuring long-term workforce sustainability.
Demonstrated Success in Regional, Rural and Remote Australia
Through PRAXIS’s MTP Connect, PrOSPeCT and ATP programs, PRAXIS has delivered PROgress nationally, including significant program delivery in regional, rural and remote sites. Through this RRR application through the Teletrial Model, PROgress has helped expand trial capacity in communities that previously had limited access to workforce development.
Benefits of PROgress have included:
- Expanded site capabilities in underserved regions
- Boosted staff retention through structured development and mentorship
- Improved trial participation by supporting high-quality trial operations closer to patients
- Positioned sites for sponsor investment by enhancing operational readiness
- Sector-Wide Impact and Opportunity
The PROgress Program responds to urgent national priorities in clinical trial workforce development:
- Addressing shortages in skilled trial staff across all regions
- Improving trial efficiency and quality through competency-based training
- Supporting sponsor confidence through increased trial readiness
- Enhancing regulatory compliance via alignment with Good Clinical Practice (GCP) standards
PRAXIS has built on our experience of training to over 15,000 clinical trials and research staff and delivery of three national immersive programs to develop PROgress. To date over 70 participants have enrolled in these immersive programs.
PROgress is the next step in scalable, impactful workforce development. Its flexible and adaptive format makes it an excellent recruitment and retention tool for a wide variety of research organisations, including public hospitals, private sponsors, universities, and cooperative research groups.
A Call for Partnership
While the PROgress Program has already demonstrated its value through ATP and other national initiatives, PRAXIS invites broader collaboration. Whether you’re looking to strengthen a single site or develop a national workforce strategy, PROgress offers a proven, adaptable solution to help future-proof your clinical trial operations.
Clinical Trial Site Feedback
Some highlights from previous site managers and program mentors are featured below:
“The program has significantly contributed to building our team’s skills and knowledge, which is assisting with the overall functioning of the clinical trials unit. The program has allowed regional staff to participate in a program that they may not have been able to without the assistance of DISR, Omico and PRAXIS. We are extremely grateful to be involved.” – Kiran Buckley, Trial Unit Manager, Mid-North Coast LHD (NSW)
“Aside from the direct benefits of upskilling our team members, it was a great opportunity to improve communication between us. Conversations regarding career development and how these can be supported were a great benefit and are leading to improved job satisfaction. Participating as a mentor has also brought benefits. I have gained mentoring skills and confidence. It was a good reminder that my years of practice provided valuable learning experiences for others.” – Nicole Humphreys, Clinical Trial Coordinator, Northeast Health Wangaratta (VIC)
“Participating in the program was a highly rewarding experience for our team… the structure and support provided by the program helped us manage site demands effectively. The mentoring training and resources were comprehensive, and the flexibility provided by the program allowed for productive and meaningful mentoring interactions. … The program has significantly contributed to our team’s workforce capacity by expanding our understanding of quality assurance in clinical trials. PROgress has strengthened our mentoring and leadership capabilities and reinforced the importance of supporting emerging professionals in the field. These new skills and insights have enhanced our ability to train and support our staff, enabling us to maintain high standards in our clinical work and better prepare our team for future challenges.” – Jess Logan, Clinical Research Manager, Central Adelaide Local Health Network (SA)
“This program was excellent because I could tailor which modules and workshops I attended to suit my work situation and my learning needs. The ones I chose helped build my confidence in my skills and knowledge, empowering me to develop a vision for myself and my team. I’ve been able to use what I’ve learned to help implement changes in our department to help it grow and develop.” – Catherine Anderson, Data Manager, Bendigo Health
Participant Feedback
“First of all, let me say how grateful I am to be part of the PRAXIS course. I only wish this course was offered prior to my starting with research. My entry into the field of research was like many others I have spoken with, “here is a trial, off you go…”. Whilst this does provide you with a fight or flight survival instinct, I honestly feel that if we encouraged the knowledge base prior to people commencing research, we would definitely have less of the flight component engaged. Research is barely touched upon during the nursing degree training, and the opportunity to learn post-graduation is not as promoted as it could be. And yet, we all know that without research, health care does not move forward. The first workshop I attended, was more informative than any reading I could have done… if I had been given any. So, thank you. Thank you for allowing me the gift of being part of this course.” Iris (Tiki) Baker-Pearson, Clinical Research Coordinator, ATP-QLD/QRCCC