Health traineeships for Queensland school students to triple

JOINT STATEMENT

The Palaszczuk Government is increasing investment in Queensland’s health workforce by providing school students, including First Nations people, with pathways to successful careers in health.

Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Yvette D’Ath has today announced a tripling of school traineeships for high school students in health support services, in a move that will help futureproof the frontline and help to ease pressure on the public health system. The number of annual school-based traineeships will increase from the 100 this year to 300 in 2023.

“We’re committed to growing and nurturing the next generation of our clinical workforce,” Minister D’Ath said.

“That’s why we’re funding more places for Queensland high school students in nursing and patient support services, allied health assistance, dental assistance, and administration across our health and hospital system.

“Our health workforce initiatives are about ensuring a pipeline of enthusiastic and skilled healthcare workers to deliver world-class healthcare.”

The school-based traineeship involves 375 hours of practical learning over a 12-to-18-month period, while students complete a Certificate III across a range of health support service qualifications.

Currently 91 school students are completing their school-based traineeships, including 30 Deadly Start students working in the Metro North Health and Hospital System, and nine students from Mackay Hospital’s Big Dream, Small Steps Program.

Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Craig Crawford said programs such as Deadly Start deliver improved health outcomes for students of the program and First Nations patients.

“The students at Deadly Start are embarking on a rich journey and career in health,” Minister Crawford said.

“Graduate students of the program are now working as employees in our health system, and others are undertaking further education in their health-related field.

“The program’s culturally responsive approach connects students with staff, fostering a community to guide them in their health careers and delivering increased cultural capabilities across the board.”

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