Broughton with Cobar Health Services Manager Mary Urquhart (at centre).
Cobar High School students, Molly Broughton and Molly Carter, were part of a group of 12 school-based trainees across Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD) who have recently graduated with Assistant in Nursing qualifications.
The pair have completed an Assistant in Nursing Certificate III through a Student-Based Apprenticeship Trainee (SBAT) program which is a Department of Education initiative which provides students with the opportunity to earn an industry-recognised qualification, working 100 days of paid work experience over two years while studying as part of their Higher School Certificate.
Other students have graduated with Pharmacy, Allied Health, and Assistant in Nursing qualifications, including eight Aboriginal trainees funded by the NSW Government’s Elsa Dixon Aboriginal Employment Grant.
They are part of a bigger group of 28 trainees across the WNSWLHD who are paving the way to begin or continue their careers in health and make meaningful impacts in their communities.
Sixteen trainees graduated from the Adult Traineeships program, including four Aboriginal trainees, which offers the opportunity to work while learning across a 12-month period to gain qualifications in disciplines like Assistant in Nursing and Administration.
Regional Health Minister Ryan Park praised the graduates saying it took incredible dedication, no matter what your age or background is, to complete study while also working.
“These programs provide a range of opportunities to kick-start a career in healthcare, to continue building skill, act as a stepping stone into further study or, for some adult trainees, take another step forward in a career change,” Minister Park said.
“No matter the pathway they choose from here, whether it be moving directly into employment, training further, or heading to university, I have no doubt these graduates will have a huge impact on their communities in the future.”
WNSWLHD Manager of Graduate Programs and Traineeships Jackie Corliss said it was wonderful to have graduates from all over the District with different backgrounds and life experiences.
“It is so exciting to see the vast majority of this year’s graduates are from smaller, rural areas including Walgett, Grenfell, Collarenebri, and Lightning Ridge,” Ms Corliss said.
“We are thrilled to be able to offer this kind of opportunity to so many people.
“Their dedication and commitment has been incredible.”
Both Molly Carter and Molly Broughton said having the opportunity to do a school-based traineeship had been very beneficial.
“You can still do your school work and it gives you a step in the door and when you finish you have a certificate,” Molly Carter said.
“It’s on-the-job training so you can get a feel if you like it before you commit,” Molly Broughton said.
Both are keen to further pursue a career in nursing and have plans to go university to study to be Registered Nurses.
Cobar Health Services Manager Mary Urquhart, who recruited the pair, said she had hoped the pair would stay in Cobar and become Enrolled Nurses (which is how she did her training).
“But the city is calling, University life is calling and that’s fine.
“They can have three years to go away and spread their wings and then come back,” Mrs Urquhart said.
The girls said at this stage they may return to work in Cobar, and both are keen to return to do their practical training.
Both said it had been great working with the Cobar staff from whom they had received immense support along with support and encouragement from the local community.
