Hospital to host trainees

Woy Woy Hospital is to host eight "Assistant in Nursing" trainees along with Long Jetty Health Care Centre this year.

The arrangement is part of school-based traineeships for year 11 students from high schools across the Central Coast.

Central Coast Health will offer school-based traineeships in Business Services and Assistant in Nursing to year 11 students as part of an innovative training initiative.

The two year program is endorsed by the Department of Education and Training and provides an opportunity for Year 11 and 12 students to gain a nationally-recognised qualification as part of their Higher School Certificate.

Students must complete more than 1000 hours of on-the-job training over two years and an additional 360 hours of off-the-job training.

Trainees will spend one and a half days each week on site at Central Coast Health facilities.

Central Coast Health's learning and development consultant Ms Helen Gayner said the school-based traineeship program was an ideal opportunity to gain an industry qualification while being at school.

"It is a great starting point for senior students who are considering a career in the health industry," she said.

"This training enables these students to gain valuable industry skills while they are learning."

Ms Gayner said the on-site training would help ease the transition from secondary school to the workplace.

"We hope the traineeships will pave the way for a career path for these students.

"We would like to see students who complete this pilot program to apply for positions within Central Coast Health.

"We have really keen students who are looking forward to being a part of a work-based learning environment," Ms Gayner said.

Students will also receive a nationally-recognised qualification in addition to their Higher School Certificate on completion of the traineeship.

Assistant in Nursing trainees will receive a Certificate III in Aged Care and consists of clinical-based modules.

Press release, January 20