Laurieton locals are encouraging job seekers to consider a rewarding career in the aged care industry with 90 per cent of local TAFE NSW graduates who studied a Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing) securing employment in the industry.i

Three Port Macquarie graduates, Todd Bullivant, Cooper Nichols and Luke Livingstone, are now working as Assistant Nurses at Whiddon Laurieton.

TAFE NSW Aged Care and Nursing Teacher, Nerida Wallace said Todd, Cooper and Luke were outstanding students and should be proud of their achievements.

“The whole class has had great employment outcomes as a result of the practical work placements that TAFE NSW facilitates with local aged care providers.  Others have gone on to further education or shifted direction to similar fields of work.

“The employment success highlights the fact that TAFE NSW ensures that students are job ready with practical skills, experience and industry connections.”

The Port Macquarie-Hastings area has a higher proportion of people aged 60 or over than the remainder of regional NSW and the forecast for job opportunities continues to expand.[i]

Todd Bullivant chose to upskill at TAFE NSW after seeing what importance the staff at an aged care facility play in the lives of elderly people after visiting his grandmother. Little did he know, studying at TAFE NSW would broaden his skillset and enable him to be in a job he loves.

Todd said because of his studies he has an abundance of in-depth knowledge about the aged care industry that he never thought he would have.

“TAFE NSW opened my eyes to the importance of the welfare of senior people and providing a happy and content end of life experience for the elderly,” he said

Whiddon Laurieton Director of Care, George Fotoulis, said the organisation invests heavily in finding and developing team members who have the values and skills to provide the right experience for residents and clients.

“The growing demographic of older Australians living on the Mid North Coast means that Whiddon is continuously recruiting highly skilled professionals to keep up with the increase in number of residents.

“Our people are at the heart of our organisation and are our greatest asset, so it takes special people, like the three TAFE NSW students we have employed, to be able to listen and provide the care and support that truly makes a difference to older people’s lives.

For more information about aged care courses available at TAFE NSW Port Macquarie, visit www.tafensw.edu.au or phone 131 601.

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Media contact: Sarah Lievore, TAFE NSW Media Officer

[i] https://profile.id.com.au/port-macquarie-