Caboolture Hospital student trainee the best in Queensland

Hands-on training delivered at Caboolture Hospital has helped St Columban’s College student Mathew Siver win the prestigious Queensland School Based Trainee of the Year award.

Matthew won the state-wide award for his excellence in vocational education and training. He had previously won the North Coast region award, which includes trainees from a large area between Caboolture and Bundaberg.

Following his win in the Queensland competition, Matthew headed to the Australian Training Awards in Adelaide and was a close runner-up for Australia’s 2022 School Based Trainee of the Year award.

“This traineeship has helped me to be my best in the workplace, but also outside of the hospital environment in my studies and private life as well,” Matthew said.

“Learning what my strengths and weaknesses are in day-to-day life and finding what skills I’m good at while working at the hospital has helped me to be 100 per cent certain of a career in paramedicine.

“I already feel like a winner, but the award would be a great way to end what has been an amazing experience.”

School based trainees at Caboolture and Redcliffe Hospitals are managed by Coordinator Education and Youth Engagement Kylie Boccuzzi and Learning and Development Coordinator Tanya Hardaker, who supported Matthew through the Metro North School Based Traineeship program.

“It’s been a pleasure to watch Matthew grow over the course of his traineeship which has set him up to achieve great things in his future,” Tanya said.

“Matthew and our other trainees could be our future healthcare workers, so we are honoured to provide them with the opportunity to kick start their careers while they’re completing their senior schooling.

“A very big thank you to the many Caboolture Hospital staff who supported Matthew during his traineeship – he now has great hands-on experience that will be of great benefit as he pursues a career in paramedicine.”

School-Based Traineeships have been offered across Metro North Health for the past 18 years.

Caboolture Hospital has 10 students due to complete their traineeship in June this year. A further eight new trainees started earlier this month.

At the end of last year, seven students completed their traineeship and four moved into paid positions across both nursing and administration.

For more details on School Based Traineeships at Caboolture Hospital, contact Tanya via email