TAFE NSW Regional General Manager Susie George has commended a young nurse who has started her career on the COVID-19 frontline.

TAFE NSW graduate, Katelyn Minett, secured employment as an assistant nurse at Port Macquarie Base Hospital and as a community nurse at the Mayo Community Health Clinic after completing a school-based traineeship in December.

Ms George said that is essential that TAFE NSW continues to deliver training to build a pipeline of skilled workers, like Ms Minett, into the health care sector as the demand for community nursing services has doubled during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Health services is the most in-demand industry in the Hastings region and has increased drastically with COVID-19.

“I congratulate Katelyn on the support and care she is providing on the front line along with all health care employees who are working to keep us safe.

“At a time when our health care services are under immense pressure, it’s vital that TAFE NSW continues to address skills shortages to support the workforce,” Ms George said.

Katelyn is well ahead of her peers in her career and qualifications after she enrolled in a Certificate III in Health Services Assistance as a school-based trainee (SBAT), which allows students to commence a paid traineeship while completing the HSC.

“TAFE NSW gave me a major head start in my nursing career. The school-based traineeship meant I could complete Year 12 with a qualification and work experience so that I could start caring for people as soon as I finished school.

“My traineeship gave me a taste of the health industry and helped me make a decision about the career I wanted to pursue and to study higher qualifications in nursing,” Miss Minett said.

Ms George said that TAFE NSW is open to the community and is using innovative technology platforms and social distancing measures to ensure that students continue to have access to TAFE NSW courses, teachers and support services throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

For more information about TAFE NSW courses, please visit www.tafensw.com.au or call 131 601.

Media contact: Sarah Lievore, TAFE NSW Media Officer, sarah.lievore1@tafensw.edu.au