4 November, 2021

A TAFE NSW Wagga Wagga TVET aged care course that has seen a remarkable collective job outcome, with half the class of school-aged students securing jobs before graduating.

Five Year 11 students from the TAFE NSW Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing) course were offered immediate employment as part-time aged carers at Wagga’s Gumleigh Gardens after completing their first work placement.

It comes after a Productivity Commission report found more than 3.5 million Australians were expected to be using aged care services by 2050, about triple the current number.

TAFE NSW Wagga Wagga aged care teacher Cath Nicholson said TAFE NSW’s close ties with local aged care facilities meant she regularly fielded calls from employers looking for students to fill positions.

“Our aged care students are in such high demand and it’s wonderful to see these teenage students secure part-time paid work after their very first work placement,” Ms Nicholson said.

“The employer is over the moon with their performance and has said their practical skills are a credit to TAFE NSW.

“This is a powerful example of how TAFE NSW helps gives students the practical skills and work experience to thrive in critical skills shortage areas, such as aged care. It also enables these young people to earn money while learning, and gives them a running start into the industry.”

Students in the TVET course came from Wagga Wagga High School, Mater Dei Catholic College, Tumut High and Tumbarumba High. As part of the course, students are required to complete three 40-hour work placement stints at aged care facilities.

Mater Dei student Amy Leddin, 17, is one of the students who gained employment at Gumleigh Gardens and said it had boosted her confidence and allowed her to “earn and learn” at the same time.

“To be able to earn money while I’m still at school is amazing and it also opens up so many opportunities for me in the industry later in life,” Miss Leddin said.

To find out more about studying at TAFE NSW, call 13 16 01 or visit www.tafensw.edu.au

Media contact: Daniel Johns, TAFE NSW Communications Specialist, (02) 6938 1441, mobile 0477 722 428