BUSY At Work in partnership with Health Pathways Alliance Ipswich, West Moreton and Workforce Council last week hosted an Industry Overview at Ipswich focusing on the health and aged care industry.
Twenty six Industry Liaison Officers (ILO), VET Coordinators and Career Advisors from 20 secondary schools across the Ipswich region as well as representatives from the University of Southern Queensland attended the one day event as a professional development opportunity.
These key industry stakeholders have a fundamental role in supporting secondary students in areas of work experience and school based apprenticeships and traineeships. Many students choose to participate in external programs as a pathway choice as they provide a Nationally Recognised Qualification and a Queensland Studies Authority (QSA) approved course.
It is therefore essential for these key stakeholders to have extensive links with industry and business and to have a clear understanding of the requirements of the students and the opportunities available.
The attendees were able to see firsthand the health training facilities and aged care centres as well as the broad spectrum of apprenticeships, traineeships and trades in action.
BUSY At Work Career Pathway Officer Kelly Kerwitz said the ILO’s were impressed with the staff at Riverview who shared their inspiring stories as to how they have found themselves within the aged care system.
“It was great to hear their stories and we are very grateful to the staff at Riverview Aged Care and Ipswich Hospital for the time and effort they provided for our visit,” Ms Kerwitz said.
Following the industry visit the participants were treated to a catered lunch, where they were able to network with colleagues from BUSY At Work, Workforce Council and Health Pathways Alliance staff.
The Health Pathways Alliance was established in 2012 by West Moreton Hospital to attract young people to career opportunities available in healthcare.
West Moreton Hospital and Health Service Executive Director Workforce Alan Millward said it was vital to ensure a suitably skilled workforce for the region into the future.
“Our community is predicted to grow by 82% over the next 10 years, which represents the largest projected population increase of any hospital and health service in Queensland,” said Mr Millward.
“The Health Service is committed to developing and supporting programs that attract young people into essential healthcare roles in our region”.
Since its inception, the Health Pathways Alliance has engaged with more than 5,000 students and has employed 26 school-based trainees.
Special guest at the lunch, Ipswich Mayor Paul Pisasale presented Loren Buchanon with the first ever Pride of Ipswich certificate and congratulated all Health Alliance partners on a tremendous initiative.
“I am always available to support training programs which enable further training of personnel involved in the employment and training sector.
“Improving the skills of liaison officers, coordinators and career advisors is critical to enhancing the level of services they offer when helping young people on the path to a successful career,” Mayor Pisasale said.
BUSY At Work General Manager Apprenticeships, Debra Van Der Togt said BUSY At Work was delighted to partner with the Health Pathways Alliance in the industry overview.
“We’ve received excellent feedback regarding the relevance and information provided from ILO’s that participated in previous industry overviews held in Brisbane earlier this year, so we were very excited to bring this to Ipswich.
“Through this innovative industry initiative between Health Pathways Alliance, Workforce Council and BUSY At Work we can now better promote apprenticeships and traineeships as a viable career path in the health and aged care industry,” Ms Van Der Togt said.
MEDIA CONTACT: Leanne Macnamara, Public Relations Coordinator 0438 173 960 leanne.macnamara@busyatwork.com.au
