TAFE NSW is helping to build a pipeline of nurses in the Cootamundra area through increasing the accessibility of high-quality training.
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said the Diploma of Nursing which recently commenced at TAFE NSW Cootamundra is expanding opportunities for regionally-based students to get in-demand skills in the booming industry.
“It was a wonderful opportunity to catch up with students embarking on a career in nursing. We know there is a great demand for Nurses right across NSW but particularly in rural and regional areas.” Ms Cooke said.
“It’s fantastic that students will be able to learn these Nursing skills right here in their own community and when they finish they will have their placement in a regional hospital.”
“By running the course with both virtual classroom and face-to-face components with local accommodation where required, TAFE NSW is making it easier for people to fit study around their other commitments.”
“Our healthcare heroes have worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic and it’s crucial we continue to support them to deliver quality healthcare.”
Recent funding for a Connected Learning Point at TAFE NSW Cootamundra also shows the NSW Government’s commitment to supporting locals to upskill.
“Connected Learning Points like the one at TAFE NSW Cootamundra are technology-enabled spaces designed to increase access to education and training by virtually connecting students to teachers and courses they may not otherwise have access to,” Ms Cooke said.
Minister for Skills and Training Alister Henskens said the NSW Government is delivering more opportunities than ever before to help people get the skills they need for the jobs they want.
“By investing in our local communities and in courses like this, we can help secure a brighter future for NSW families,” Mr Henskens said.
“NSW is leading the nation when it comes to skills and training, with more people in training than any other state, ensuring that we continue to build a strong pipeline of skilled, job-ready workers to help grow our economy.”
Next year TAFE NSW Cootamundra will offer an Introduction to Careers in Health course which will provide further opportunities to pick up in-demand skills for a rewarding career.
For more information on courses available at TAFE NSW, visit www.tafensw.edu.au.
Local people are being encouraged to explore opportunities to get a first job, a new job or a better job as part of National Careers Week (16-22 May).
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said the NSW Government is funding a range of fee-free and low-fee training courses to help people get the skills they need for the jobs they want.
“We want to turbocharge the take-up of vocational education and training by slashing the cost of courses and helping people get skilled for jobs,” Ms Cooke said.
“The NSW Government’s record infrastructure investment is creating jobs and driving demand for skilled workers in everything from traditional trades to new and emerging industries.
“There are so many incredible opportunities in NSW and National Careers Week is the perfect time for people to explore what’s out there.”
Minister for Skills and Training Alister Henskens said the NSW Government is also offering free career guidance, information and advice through Careers NSW.
“Careers NSW is a whole-of-life, one-stop-shop for everyone in the state to help people unlock their potential by empowering them to make informed decisions about their career path,” Mr Henskens said.
“There has never been a better time to explore your future and Careers NSW can provide information on everything from traditional trades to new and emerging industries.”
People are also encouraged to visit the Skills NSW website and explore short courses and training opportunities available to help people up-skill or re-skill.
The website also allows people to explore industries and potential job opportunities, and find out the skills and training they need for employment.
The NSW Government recently announced that the Cootamundra electorate has received a share in the NSW Government’s $10 million investment in state-of-the-art technology for TAFE NSW classrooms, providing students with the best possible opportunity to learn.
The Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke said this latest investment is part of a state-wide program delivering technology upgrades to over 1500 learning spaces across 134 metropolitan, regional and rural TAFE NSW campuses this year.
The Cootamundra electorate has received a $160,000 investment, receiving 155 new devices across the Cootamundra, Narrandera, Temora, Young and Cowra campuses.
Each new model computer will come equipped with a keyboard, mouse and a large 27-inch monitor with the capability to view several windows at once.
“The NSW Government is investing in new equipment at TAFE NSW campuses across the state to ensure students have the digital skills they need to gain employment.”
“The classroom asset refresh program is testament to the NSW Government’s commitment to TAFE NSW and delivering the pipeline of skilled workers industry needs.”
“Upgrading technology across our state-wide network of campuses is key to helping students get jobs, and supporting the NSW economy into the future,” Ms Cooke said.
Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education Geoff Lee said the investment is a prime example of how the NSW Government is investing in modern, industry-standard equipment to support quality educational outcomes.
“The new technology, which is faster and more powerful than before, enables students to access a wider range of computer applications and allows teachers to deliver the highest quality education and training,” Mr Lee said.
“The NSW Government is proud to invest in modern learning equipment to deliver the workforce of the future, and provide students with the digital literacy skills they need to hit the ground running once they graduate.”
For more information about studying at TAFE NSW, visit www.tafensw.edu.au or phone 131 601.
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke has welcomed news of a TAFE NSW Young aged care course which has seen every student over the past four years secure work prior to graduation.
“Every member of the Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing) at TAFE NSW Young since 2017 has been offered paid work at a local aged care facility after completing work placement,” Ms Cooke said.
“It was great to meet Lisa Cooke who is one of the graduates of this course that has secured a job as an aged carer at Mount St Joseph’s in Young last year.”
“With more than 3.5 million Australians expected to use aged care services by 2050, TAFE NSW is on the frontline of addressing this growing need for skills aged care graduates.”
“It’s testament to the relationships TAFE NSW has with our two local aged care facilities in Young, and also to the practical skills and work experience afforded to TAFE NSW students.”
“Providing dignity and care to our older residents is one of the most important jobs anyone can do, and I want to personally thank these students for fulfilling such a critical role in the community.”
TAFE NSW Young aged care teacher Carolyn Bailey said TAFE NSW’s close ties with local aged care facilities meant she regularly fielded calls from employers looking for students to fill positions.
“Our aged care students are in high demand due to the industry-leading practical skills and workplace experience available at TAFE NSW,” Ms Bailey said.
Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education Geoff Lee said TAFE NSW was ideally positioned to continue providing a pipeline of skilled aged care workers to cater to the industry’s jobs boom.
“The trend at TAFE NSW Young is being repeated at TAFE NSW campuses across the state and to have a qualification that gives you almost-guaranteed employment will be even more attractive in the post-COVID jobs market,” Mr Lee said.
“TAFE NSW offers hands-on, practical training based on real-life scenarios that students would come across in the workplace. This means they are job-ready and hit the ground running. I’m proud to be part of a government that, through TAFE NSW, is making such an important contribution to the health and wellbeing of our older residents.”
To find out more about studying at TAFE NSW, call 13 16 01 or visit www.tafensw.edu.au.
TAFE NSW will expand access to local training opportunities with the installation of contemporary digitally enabled virtual teaching and learning spaces at campuses in Cootamundra, Cowra, Temora and Young.
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke has welcomed this development for the local TAFE network.
“This investment forms part of a $20 million initiative to build 200 high-tech, modern learning spaces to support virtual learning across TAFE NSW campuses by May 2022,” Ms Cooke said.
“The initiative will expand and enhance access to training, allowing more students to live and learn in their own communities, while gaining access to the skills they need to be work ready,” Ms Cooke said.
The investment will be used to integrate physical, digital, and virtual learning environments across New South Wales.
TAFE NSW campuses at Cootamundra, Cowra and Temora will be fitted with four state-of-the art digitally enabled learning spaces, designed to link local students with a state-wide network of industry qualified TAFE NSW teachers. This will enable students in the Riverina to participate in classes, no matter where their teacher is located.
TAFE NSW Young will also receive funding to install a virtual delivery space, designed to enable teachers and industry experts to train students located around the state via a virtual classroom. This will enable Young-based teachers to share their highly sought-after industry experience with students no matter where they live.
As part of the investment, a number of specialist facilities across NSW will be upgraded, including workshops, kitchens, and laboratories which will be fitted with technology and equipment to support practical demonstrations. This will enable students living in regional and remote communities to observe live practical demonstrations conducted in industry-standard and fully equipped teaching facilities.
Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education Geoff Lee said TAFE NSW is evolving to meet the changing learning needs of student and local communities.
“TAFE NSW recognises each student learns differently. This investment will increase access to flexible and engaging study options for students, no matter where they live,” Mr Lee said.
“This investment ensures people living in regional communities have access to a greater range of teacher-led, digitally enabled courses, and allows them to build skills highly valued by employers, such as digital literacy, remote working, problem-solving, and resilience.”
“TAFE NSW is playing a critical role in the state’s COVID recovery by ensuring more job seekers and school leavers have access to the training they need than ever before.” Construction of 200 connected facilities will commence in coming months.