Academy first provides healthy career step
Academy Graduates Emily-Rose Wagner and Amanda Johnson enjoy their graduation with mums Annette Harper (first left) and Katrina Johnson.
Local students have been given a healthy career headstart as the first to graduate from the Caboolture Health Care Academy.
Caboolture Hospital Executive Director Dr Lance Le Ray and Metro North Hospital and Health Service Board Member Mike Gilmour joined friends and family to celebrate the success of 15 students from Caboolture State High School and St Columban’s College at a graduation ceremony held at Caboolture Hospital yesterday.
“The Caboolture Health Care Academy has given these young adults a unique opportunity to experience first-hand how a hospital operates,” Dr Le Ray said.
“Over the past year the students have worked very hard to complete a learning program at TAFE and on-the-job training at Caboolture Hospital while completing their Year 11 studies.
“The skills and knowledge they have gained throughout the year will open up new career pathways, and support them to understand what they want to do when they leave school.”
The students all completed their Certificate II in Health Support Services by undertaking on-the-job training as operational support workers, patient porters and food services staff one day a week at Caboolture Hospital.
Daniel Tucker, a student at Caboolture State High School student, said the program provided a great opportunity to gain some employment skills to help him once he completed his senior studies.
“I am looking forward to getting a job after I leave school to help me through university,” Daniel said. “I saw the Academy as a good stepping stone to gain the experience to do this.”
At the graduation, Dr Le Ray also announced that 20 additional students would start the program in 2017, with the majority of graduates from 2016 continuing on next year to complete a Certificate III in Health Support Services.
“In 2017, the number of schools participating in the Academy will double as we welcome new students from Tullawong High School and Deception Bay State High School,” Dr Le Ray said.
“It is encouraging to see communities coming together to give young people a great opportunity at the beginning of their working life.”
The Caboolture Health Care Academy is a partnership between local high schools, TAFE Queensland Brisbane (Caboolture Campus) and Caboolture Hospital.