April 30, 2024

Southern Highlands and Goulburn students celebrate completion of Health Care Traineeship

Partnership with Harbison Care and Warrigal addresses local skill shortages in sector

Ten UOW College students will celebrate their final day of study in a new Health Care Traineeship Program today (Tuesday 30 April) at the University of Wollongong (UOW) Southern Highlands.

The students from the Southern Highlands and Goulburn are the first to complete the program.

Commencing last year, in partnership with aged care providers Harbison Care and Warrigal, the program is designed to address skill shortages in the local health care sector.

The traineeship is a one-year program, with students attending the UOW Southern Highlands campus one day a week studying CHC43015 Certificate IV in Ageing Support delivered by UOW College, while being employed by Harbison Care or Warrigal for a minimum of 21 hours per week.  The students are employed at Harbison Care’s centres in Moss Vale and Burradoo, and Warrigal facilities in Goulburn and Bundanoon.

Manager of Vocational Education at UOW College, Ms Liz Thomas said that the traineeship program was a collaboration with local industry designed with their needs in mind – most particularly attracting and retaining skilled workers in aged care. 

“It’s an ideal way to bring new workers into health care. Traineeships are fee-free under NSW Government Smart and Skilled subsidised training and students are able to work and earn while gaining their qualifications” Ms Thomas said.

Partnership Manager at Harbison Care, Mr Zac Hulm, said that the collaboration had been a great success and “offered a fantastic opportunity to fill much-needed jobs in the region”.

Following on from the program’s success, a second cohort of students commenced the program earlier this year, with plans underway to expand the program by working with additional local health care providers.

UOW Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Strategy and Assurance) Professor Sean Brawley congratulated the students on their achievements, and all involved in the program’s success.

“UOW is anchored in the communities we serve. Initiatives like the Health Care Traineeship Program highlight the importance of our regional campuses in strengthening local partnerships to produce industry-ready professionals who can address local skills gaps.”

The students will celebrate their final day of study with an afternoon tea at the UOW Southern Highlands campus with representatives from Harbison Care, Warrigal, UOW and UOW College in attendance to congratulate the students.

For further information, contact: UOW College Manager of Vocational Education, Liz Thomas (sthomas@uow.edu.au), UOW Southern Highlands Campus Manager, Stephen Lowe (slowe@uow.edu.au) or Harbison Care Partnership Manager, Zac Hulm (zac.hulm@harbisoncare.org.au).