High school trainees learn on the job
Participants not only develop professional skills but life skills too.

High school students in a small New South Wales town have the opportunity to undertake aged care traineeships.
Quirindi High School – located on the North West Slopes region of the state – has partnered with Quirindi Care Services to offer its students school-based traineeships in Certificate III Individual Support (Ageing & Disability).
The traineeship program – which includes work experience placements at nearby Eloura residential aged care facility – offers students the chance to learn on the job while continuing their school studies.
“They get constant support and mentoring as they are buddied with another employee while on their traineeship,” said Casey Hatch – people, culture and safety manager at Quirindi Care Services.
This on-the-job experience prepares students for future employment opportunities and has already provided significant benefits for participants. “Past students completing traineeships have either continued on working for us or advanced their career further,” said Ms Hatch. Indeed, upon completing their Certificate III, some trainees have advanced to become enrolled nurses.
QHS careers adviser Raegan Schofield stressed the importance of on-the-job training. “Students at Quirindi High School who participate in work experience learn how to apply employability skills in real-world settings,” she said. “Practicing these skills in a workplace while collaborating with professionals contributes to the students’ understanding of how to function in a work-related environment.”

And it’s not just professional skills the students develop, they also gain life skills. “They gain self-confidence and self-awareness as they grow in learning new skills and gaining knowledge,” said QCS general manager Kim Riley. “They also get the emotional rewards witnessing firsthand the difference they can make because of the care given.”
Residents at Eloura have responded favourably to the young trainees. “Residents have had a positive response to the students and it has boosted the social engagement between different generations,” said Ms Hatch.
The intergenerational connection has huge benefits for residents, said Ms Riley. “It can enhance physical health, mental wellbeing and emotional resilience.”
Quirindi Care Services fosters a supportive and happy workplace, said Ms Riley, which benefits residents and students alike. “We believe investing in our staff and valuing their needs leads to the best outcomes for our residents. The positive ripple effect of this approach cannot be overstated.”
She added: “We hope the students who come to us for training also experience this supportive workplace environment and carry these values with them into their future careers.”
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