Healthy future for new North Lakes’ trainees
Two high school students have kick started their health careers at the North Lakes Health Precinct.
More and more school students are taking up the opportunity to pursue a school-based traineeship with another two trainees (left) Bethany Edwards and (third left) Georgia Luker joining the North Lakes Health Precinct team. They are pictured here with (second left) Community, Indigenous and Subacute Services Acting Executive Director Tami Photinos, Trainee Graduate and Administrative Officer Nataya O’Reilly, and Education Officer Leeana Barby.
Minister for Health and Minister for Ambulance Services Steven Miles said it was great to provide real opportunities for young adults so that they can grow their skills and pursue rewarding careers.
“The Palaszczuk Government is committed to not only bettering the health of Queenslanders, but to supporting and developing the next generation of healthcare workers and emerging leaders,” Mr Miles said.
As part of the Metro North Hospital and Health Service School-based Traineeship Program, the two trainees will attend school four days a week and work one day a week at North Lakes Health Precinct, while completing their Certificate III in Business Support.
“This comprehensive program gives students the chance to join and learn from our great team of healthcare professionals in North Brisbane,” Mr Miles said.
“The two trainees are part of a broader group of 32 school-based trainees beginning traineeships at Caboolture, Redcliffe and Kilcoy Hospitals, Brighton Health Campus and GP Oral Health Services during 2018.
“The traineeship program has increased from 19 students in 2017 to 32 in 2018.”
For school-based Trainee Bethany Edwards, who is in Grade 11 at Kilcoy State High School, the opportunity to work at North Lakes was too good of an opportunity to pass up.
“I have always wanted to do something in business and felt that the traineeship would be great hands on experience,” she said.
“The traineeship will give me an idea of what career pathway I would like to explore after high school.”
Community, Indigenous and Subacute Service (CISS) Acting Executive Director Tami Photinos said CISS was pleased to be involved in the community-based program, which would build our future workforce while giving these trainees some invaluable experience.
“Since 2005, 208 students have enrolled in the Metro North Hospital and Health Service School-based Traineeship Program,” she said.
“After 12 years in operation, nearly 70 per cent of graduates from the traineeship program are still employed across our service.”
One of those graduates was Nataya O’Reilly who is currently working at the North Lakes Health Precinct as an Administrative Officer following completion of her traineeship.
Nataya, who completed her studies last year while at Clontarf Beach State High School, said the program gave her great experience, and the confidence and competence to take the next step in her career.
The Metro North Hospital and Health Service School-based Traineeship Program will see school-based trainees participating from Pine Rivers, North Lakes, Bray Park, Caboolture, Kilcoy, Narangba, Redcliffe, Glasshouse, Bribie Island and Albany Creek High Schools.
The 32 trainees will be pursuing a range of qualifications across aged care, allied health, nursing, dental assistance, kitchen operations, horticulture or information technology.
The trainees are employed through the Australian Training Company, a not-for profit group training organisation while completing their Grade 11 and 12 studies at private and public high schools.