Committed to helping overcome worker shortfalls in the caring industries, healthcare trainees from across western NSW recently marked completion of their studies with a graduation ceremony in Dubbo.

Total of 17 graduates, including seven Aboriginal trainees, completed Adult Traineeship programs offering opportunities to earn a qualification while gaining hands-on experience in a range of different disciplines, including Health Service Assistance.

About a dozen Year 11 and 12 students — including seven Aboriginal trainees — also completed their School-Based Apprenticeship and Traineeship (SBAT) studies that were funded by the Elsa Dixon Aboriginal Employment Grant, Western NSW health District Executive Director of People and Culture, Sandra Duff said.

“We’re so delighted to be able to offer this kind of opportunity to people in our communities,” Ms Duff said.

“This year’s group of graduates are from all corners of the District have different backgrounds and bring an incredible range of life experience,” she added.

Trainees graduated with qualifications in a range of disciplines, including Human Resources Management, Cookery, Dental Assisting and Business Administration, which have all been offered for the first time this year.

“We have graduates from major centres like Bathurst, Orange and Dubbo, but importantly, well over half of this year’s group, are from smaller towns in regions like Dunedoo, Walgett, Molong, Nyngan, and Goodooga.

“Along with our senior school students we also have graduates of all ages in our Adult Traineeship program; their dedication and commitment has been incredible, we can’t congratulate them enough,” Ms Duff revealed.

Delivered in partnership with the Department of Education, the SBAT program provides students the chance to earn an industry-recognised qualification, working 100 days of paid work experience over two years while studying as part of their Higher School Certificate.

“I’m also really thrilled to see the vast majority of our graduates have either indicated they would like to continue working in our Local Health District or have already been directly appointed to roles,” Ms Duff said.

“Several are also now planning to further their studies, many at university, primarily in nursing,” she concluded.