TAFE New England (TNE)  collaborated with BEST Employment, the Royal Freemasons Benevolent Institution and aged care facilities NSW State Training Services to deliver the training for the program and subsequent traineeships.

“Our commitment to our smaller communities and innovative approach to the delivery of Certificate III in aged care has enabled these students the opportunity to gain this qualification and subsequent employment,” TNE project coordinator Matthew McAllister said.

“The Aged Care industry is one that will continue to see growth over the next few years, and TAFE New England is proud to be supporting students to gain the skills they need for the job they want. 

“The course provides the necessary skills to work in the aged care and or health industry and students learnt about the aged care sector, communicating with older people, providing person-centred care and other support to residents within aged care facilities.” Student Judy Burton said getting the qualification means everything to her because she appreciated learning new skills.

“It was great to interact with all the different people and I love the job and I really like the people I have been working with,” she said.

Student Taylor Brown said she has enjoyed the experience and it has given her a career pathway. “Getting the qualification is such a positive thing for me,” she said.

Royal Freemasons’ Bene-volent Institution General Manager Bernard Beatty said more than 40 people showed an interest, and they are also looking into running this program again towards the end of the year.

“The program was really around providing potential employees with an opportunity to work in aged care, and really seeing if they liked the industry,” he said.

“We are proud to have witnessed those graduates who successfully completed, and I am aware that one of them is now interested in furthering her nursing career as a registered nurse, which is wonderful.”