A looming jobs boom in the health, wellbeing and community services sector has prompted TAFE NSW Broken Hill to introduce an innovative way of delivering courses to students studying remotely for the first time.

According to TAFE NSW research the health, wellbeing and community services sector is forecast to have the biggest employment increase over the next three years with a 4% increase in jobs. Growth in this industry is driven by an ageing population and demand for services to address chronic diseases and comorbidity in remote areas.

In response to this research, TAFE NSW is now offering a Certificate IV in Community Services, a Certificate IV in Youth Work and a Certificate IV in Mental Health taught from TAFE NSW Broken Hill with students in surrounding areas able to access the class by video conference from other TAFE NSW locations across the region. Students can also connect to the class from the comfort of their home.

TAFE NSW Head Teacher of Health Wellbeing and Community Services, Sandra Hayden, said that the connected learning delivery method has been introduced in Western NSW to ensure that communities have access to a wide range of courses.

“Providing further study opportunities for people in Broken Hill who were looking to progress their career or considering a career change while being flexible around working hours, was also a main factor influencing the new delivery of the course.

“Students participate in a two hour online session every Tuesday afternoon and can seek additional assistance from teachers by attending a session once per week at TAFE NSW Broken Hill and TAFE NSW Coomealla.”

TAFE NSW Certificate IV in Youth Work student and Pomona resident, Amber Brooker, is enjoying studying the course to further her skills to help children in need.

“My Mother was passionate about helping foster children and I have always had an interest in working in this area, but living 30 kilometers from Coomealla made it hard to get the skills for the job I wanted,” Ms Brooker said.

“I am now able to study from the comfort of my home, work full-time and look after my two children.

“I only need to travel to TAFE NSW Coomealla to attend the face-to-face session once per week and meet with my teacher to discuss any questions that I may have. The online course delivery method really suits my busy schedule.”

To find out more about studying a Certificate IV in Community Services, Youth Work or Mental Health at TAFE NSW, phone 13 16 01 or visit www.tafensw.edu.au.

Media contact: Emma Curtis, TAFE NSW Media Officer, (02) 6338 2509, mobile 0427 901 515.