Healthcare students ready to serve their communities

By PETER ROWE

Young indigenous trainees were among 28 graduates celebrating at the Western NSW Local Health District in Dubbo this week, all about to begin their careers in health in their communities.

A mixture of adult and Year 11 and 12 students earned the opportunity to either work while learning across a 12-month period to gain qualifications in disciplines like Assistant in Nursing and Administration, or in school-Based Apprenticeships in Pharmacy, Allied Health, and in assistant nursing qualifications,

Eight Aboriginal trainees were funded by the NSW Government’s Elsa Dixon Aboriginal Employment Grant.

“It takes incredible dedication, no matter your age or background, to complete study while also working and I wholeheartedly congratulate all 28 of the trainees from Western NSW who have graduated,” Regional Health Minister Ryan Park said.

“These programs provide a range of opportunities to kick-start a career in healthcare, to continue building skill, act a stepping stone into further study or, for some adult trainees, take another step forward in a career change.”

The program is a Department of Education initiative which provides students the opportunity to earn an industry-recognised qualification, working 100 days of paid work experience over two years while studying as part of their Higher School Certificate.