New workforce program providing a pipeline of future aged care workers

A new industry-linked careers pathway program has been established at Maryborough State High School (MSHS)' to develop a workforce pipeline program to meet the growing demand in the aged care sector.

Through a partnership led by MSHS' CQUniversity' Signature Care and Community Services Gateway to Industry Schools Project' the program aims to create a workforce pipeline of students for a range of positions to support Signature Care's 180-bed facility at Tinana.

Principal of Maryborough State High School' Simon Done' said that the direct industry partnership would provide experiential learning opportunities to develop students' career goals in Community Services.

"The Future Care Program will give our students a head start in securing a job in the sector'" Mr Done said.

"Participating students will complete a Certificate II in Community Services' giving students the skills and knowledge to be workforce ready and contribute to a sector that is facing critical skills shortages."

CQUniversity's Head of Course for Vocational Health and Nursing' Michelle Carr' said the initiative was another way that the University was helping to support communities by providing innovative training pathways in high-demand areas.

"CQUniversity is delighted to be a part of this important partnership as it has the potential to bring about impactful change in the local aged care sector'" Ms Carr said.

"The region has an ageing population' and the aged care sector is in constant need of qualified and skilled healthcare workers' so we are proud to be able to come on board as the training partner within this initiative'" she said.

"CQU and MSHS have already partnered on a similar initiative to train Year 11 and 12 students in health support so that they can complete their schooling with a job-ready qualification.

"Since the commencement of that partnership in 2021' we have witnessed some excellent results' including seven completions of students in the Year 11 program who are now completing additional qualifications as part of their Year 12 studies.

"We look forward to continuing to partner with MSHS and industry to offer critical health skills training and pathways to further study."

Funded by the Queensland Department of Employment' Small Business and Training' the Community Services Gateway to Industry Schools Project establishes collaborative partnerships with employers' schools and students' to attract students into the Community Services sector.

For more information about Gateway to Industry Schools' please visit www.communitygatewayschools.org.au