Central Coast high school students will be able to gain skills to help them secure work in the growing health and aged care sectors, thanks to new virtual TAFE NSW courses to be offered as part of the HSC in 2022.
With the Australian Aged Care sector expected to grow to one million workers by 2050, the NSW Government will deliver in-demand skills training to Year 11 and 12 students with courses in Care in Ageing, Health Administration, and Allied Health.
Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education, Geoff Lee, said the virtual Schools Launchpad courses are designed to build the sector’s future workforce and allow students to step straight into jobs after school.
“The new virtual courses give students an opportunity to complete their HSC with highly relevant and real-world skills that employers are looking for,” Lee said.
“Students will finish high school with a head start in their career, as they will be qualified to work in a variety of in-demand roles including as a Personal Care Worker, Allied Health Assistant, and Medical Records Officer.”
Minister for Education, Sarah Mitchell, said the TAFE Launchpad courses are an important part of school curriculum reforms.
“The new curriculum is about ensuring students are prepared for in-demand jobs, including in growing industries like health,” Mitchell said.
“Our curriculum will truly be world leading, and importantly create incredible opportunities for all our students to achieve their best and have rewarding careers in their future.”
TAFE NSW Head of Health, Wellbeing and Community Services Skills Team, Anne Barrow, said students studying the virtual Care in Ageing course will learn workplace communication skills, WHS, infection control policies, and the practices of person-centred support.
“They’ll also gain a First Aid Certificate and learn how to provide individualised support to clients with diverse needs, including people with dementia,” she said.
Chief Executive Officer of Southern Cross Care (NSW & ACT) Helen Emmerson said the courses connect students with a range of career opportunities in the sector.
“These virtual courses give local high school students the chance to learn about the career paths available for carers in aged care in their local communities,” Emmerson said.
“It’s such a rewarding industry with so many job opportunities.”
Students who complete the virtual courses will graduate with a nationally recognised VET qualification that forms part of their HSC and contributes to an ATAR.
Expressions of Interest are now open for all Schools Launchpad courses.
Students can express their interest via their school career counsellors.
For more information, visit www.tafensw.edu.au/launchpad.
Source:
Media release, Sep 3
Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education, Geoff Lee