The health, wellbeing and community services sector needs qualified employees and a TAFE NSW is offering a seven-week taste of the industry.

TAFE NSW Head teacher of Community Services-Ageing Kellie Harmer encouraged those considering a career in health and wellbeing to try the new TAFE NSW Health and Community Services short course.

The NSW Department of Planning and Environment, South East and Tablelands Regional Plan, forecast the health, wellbeing and community services sector will account for 17.9 per cent of employment in the southern half of NSW by 2021.

“There is already strong demand for more people to take up roles in community services,” Ms Harmer said.

“The demand for employees is growing in this industry. For example we need to triple our aged care workforce within the next five years.”

Employment growth over the next few years is predicted to be driven by an ageing population and significant NSW Government investment in health infrastructure.

To help train the workforce of the future TAFE NSW Wollongong and Shellharbour are offering the Introduction to Health and Community Services short course.

The taster course will cover; communicating and working effectively in health and community services, as well as skills in working with diverse people.

The seven-week-course will present an introduction to working in the sector, with a focus on achieving three units toward a full qualification within the community services sector.

The Statement of Attainment will give students a chance to sample the training and see if it is a career they would like to pursue further.

The short course can provide study pathways to full qualifications in; Individual Support, Health Services Assistant, Community Services and many more

Ms Harmer said job outcomes in the sector include roles such as; in-home respite care, nurse’s-aid, care service employee, transport support worker, community services field officer, school support officer and family support worker.

“The taster courses would give people a good idea of what’s involved in health and wellness careers.”

The short course will be offered during semester two at TAFE NSW Wollongong and Shellharbour from Monday August 9 and October 25. It will run for four hours a week over seven weeks through blended delivery.

To find out more about studying an Introduction to Health and Community Services in semester two at TAFE NSW, phone 13 16 01 or visit www.tafensw.edu.au.

Media contact: Adam Wright, TAFE NSW Media Officer, 4421 9895, mobile 0466 375 552.