With work nearing completion on Cobar’s new $30million multipurpose health service, Lilliane Brady Village staff are getting on the front foot by upskilling at TAFE NSW.

According to TAFE NSW research, the hospitality and aged care industries are two of the most in demand industries in regional NSW, with more than 200 workers needed over the next three years.

From 2020, Liliane Brady Village will be co-located with the new health service which will provide greater capacity to meet the increasing demand for residential aged care services and access to a range of health care services.

Lilliane Brady Village Director of Nursing and Facility Manager, Sharon Huon, said investing in staff training at TAFE NSW Cobar was vital in keeping up with the latest in industry standards and meeting new demand.

“The refurbished aged care facility will include 14 new units which includes the conversion of rooms with four occupants to singular rooms with ensuites. This will also mean the facility will be able to better service the community and will need to acquire more staff to manage the expansion.

“Lilliane Brady Village Cooks, Patrice Garland and Maxine Mawhinney, have recently completed a Certificate II in Kitchen Operations at TAFE NSW to equip them with the hands-on skills to manage meals for both aged care residents and hospital patients.

“By studying at TAFE NSW, Maxine and Patrice are now aware of the latest industry legislation and practices, and have developed new ideas for menus and meal presentation.”

Ms Garland said, “Studying at TAFE NSW has helped me broaden my knowledge in the kitchen.

“The teachers at TAFE NSW are really experienced and both Maxine and I have learnt a lot of new skills from them.

“I now have the confidence to take on a new challenge, servicing a larger group of residents and the wider community.”

To find out more about studying hospitality or aged care courses at TAFE NSW or customised training for your business through TAFE Enterprise, 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