Some year 12 students from Tenterfield High School in regional northern New South Wales are about to complete their School-based Traineeship, thanks to utilising local aged care communities as living classrooms.
The opportunity to graduate with a Certificate III in Individual Support comes after working part-time with the team at Tenterfield Care, where they gained valuable hands-on training.
According to Sunita Sharma, Residential Service Manager at Tenterfield Care, the program has been a win-win initiative for the wider community.
“The students benefitted from supervised learning experiences caring for residents while getting a head start on their future career. And residents thoroughly enjoyed their youthful energy and dedicated care,” says Sharma.
Helen Clothier is the high school’s career advisor and says the opportunity to study and work within the region is a vital way to build sustainable career pathways for local young people.
“The School Based Apprenticeship and Traineeship Program provides students with positive local work experiences,” says Clothier.
“They get paid while learning in a very supportive environment, and they graduate with a qualification they can use for a career or further studies straight away.
““I am extremely proud of the students. They’ve shown commitment to their studies and have embraced the traineeship with maturity. They’ve been great ambassadors for the school.”
Sharma says the deep respect the students show residents, combined with their enthusiasm for their unique learning experience has been noticed by everyone.
“They should be very proud of their efforts,” she says.
“They’ve been respectful, responsible and will be leaving with an appreciation of how rewarding a career in aged care can be.”
Tenterfield Care is proudly part of the Apollo Care Alliance – an innovative national provider with a unique vision to strengthen the goodwill and sense of belonging already created in local, not-for-profit aged care communities.
Apollo Care CEO, Stephen Becsi OAM, said that school-based traineeships are one of several important strategies used to grow the permanent workforce at its communities.
“Workforce is the biggest challenge facing regional aged care providers,” says Becsi.
“Skills shortages lead to a greater reliance on agency staff, raising the cost to deliver care and impacting organisational culture.
“Our multipronged workforce approach combines technology, psychology and staff engagement.
“Metrics show that this is positively changing the wellbeing of our teams, which in turn is enhancing the wellbeing of residents.
“The result is that Apollo Care is reducing agency costs, helping to make our alliance of aged care communities more sustainable.”
Educational pathway to nursing
Student Mia says she plans to continue her studies next year to become a Registered Nurse and hopes to return to Tenterfield Care on placements, or once qualified.
“I was so nervous when I started but I’ve really enjoyed the course and building relationships with staff and residents at Tenterfield Care. This opportunity has made me realise that I love caring for people,” says Mia.
Student Kristie also plans to embark on a Bachelor of Nursing.
“One of the most memorable moments for me was the first time we were trusted to work on our own. I realised how capable I am. I’m really looking forward to becoming a Registered Nurse,” she says.
For another student, Hayley, this certificate enabled her to gain paid employment as a carer at Tenterfield Care while she considers her future study options.
“I’ve learned so much about caring for people,” says Hayley.
“Plus, having a Certificate III in Individual Support means I’ll always be able to have a career in aged care.”
