Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service Traineeship and Work Experience Coordinator Iadakul Bowie.
High school students interested in pursuing a career in health will now have a direct pathway thanks to a new traineeship program.
Starting next year, the Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service will offer traineeships to 20 students from throughout Cape York and the Torres Strait.
The traineeships will be part of the Deadly Start Program following a state government investment of $300,000, which was announced in July.
Over two years the students will complete their Certificate II in Health Services Support and a Certificate III, which will include paid work experience at one of the health service’s four hospitals – in Weipa, Bamaga, Cooktown, or Thursday Island.
The health service has previously offered traineeships around the region, with particular success in the oral health team on Thursday Island where all of the dental assistants are locals.
The health service also offers work experience opportunities.
“We know that more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people working in our hospitals directly improves health outcomes for First Nations people,” said Queensland Health Minister Shannon Fentiman.
“This is an exciting opportunity for young people to have a direct pathway into a career that allows them to support their home communities.”
Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service Traineeship and Work Experience Coordinator Iadakul Bowie said: “Students will complete their traineeship during Year 11 and Year 12 with the aim of offering each one a position in the health service after they graduate.
“Students can then decide if they want to pursue further specialised study in nursing, medicine, allied health, or other areas, or work in other areas.”
