A new Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Academy is soon to open in Lismore.
The academy is a partnership between Indigenous Allied Health Australia Ltd (IAHA), the Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD) and local Aboriginal medical services.
The academy will offer Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander high school students in the Northern Rivers access to an exciting new training pathway right on their doorstep in 2022. It aims to support education and increase career opportunities in the health and social assistance sectors.
Students in Year 11 and 12 will have the opportunity to complete a school-based traineeship undertaking a nationally recognised Certificate III in Allied Health Assistance (HLT33015) qualification through TAFE NSW. The course will be delivered at Southern Cross University’s Lismore campus.
Students will also gain experience in the health workforce with both IAHA and local health service providers, gaining relevant employability skills and work readiness.
The partnership will build on existing relationships and strengthen local health workforce development strategies, including paid employment for school-based trainees, mentoring, leadership development and career planning.
Pathway options for students range from gaining employment in the health field, to continuing study with partner organisations, including Bulgarr Ngaru Medical Aboriginal Corporation, Rekindling the Spirit Aboriginal Medical Service, Bullinah Aboriginal Medical Service, Northern NSW Local Health District, TAFE NSW and Southern Cross University. The Academy will also provide opportunities to develop Aboriginal medical services’ future workforce.
For more information, contact the IAHA via email at [email protected], phone (02) 6285 1010 or visit their website.
Pictured: from left, Donna Murray CEO Indigenous Allied Health Australia, Georgina Cohen CEO Rekindling the Spirit, Jody Irwin CEO Bullinah Aboriginal Health Service, Kirsty Glanville, Assoc Director Aboriginal Health NNSWLHD and Scott Monaghan CEO Bulgarr Ngaru Medical Aboriginal Corporation.