With construction of a dedicated nursing trade school at the Canobolas Rural Technology High School not expected to start until next year, TAFE is diving head first into reversing some of the challenges facing the healthcare system.

In a classroom fitted out with medical equipment, 23 students from Molong Central, Orange High, Canobolas High, the Orange Christian School, Blayney High, Kinross Wolaroi and Canowindra High gather for five hours each week to complete a certificate III in health services assistance.

TAFE welfare and health head teacher Jenny Hazelton said the opportunities available for students to gain easier entry into the workplace and university were “extraordinary”.

“These young people are beautifully placed to have a help up into health care courses once they finish school,” she said.

“Nursing is a key area of skill shortages and it’s very exciting to be investing in the future of the community. What we want to do is capture young people who really see positive careers ahead of them. We don’t want our young people to move away to train, we want them to stay, train and then work locally.”

Students like Kinross Wolaroi’s Hayley Smith must perform 50 hours work at places like aged care facilities and small hospitals. She spent three days at Lourdes Hospital in Dubbo as part of her required 50 hours.

“I washed people, showered them, took their blood glucose levels, their observations and helped look after people in palliative care. All of the things were great experience,” she said.

Students who successfully complete the certificate are credited six units towards their HSC.

TAFE will also have a presence at the new nursing school at Canobolas High School when it is completed, Mrs Hazelton said.