The program is designed to assist suitable persons to gain entry into the aged care industry. Participants will undertake 3 units of competency from CHC33015 Certificate III in Individual Support and 2 units of competency from FSK20113 Certificate II in Skills for Work and Vocational Pathways.

The program will run for 9 weeks and on completion the successful graduates may be offered the opportunity to complete the full CHC33015 Certificate III Individual Support (ageing) qualification as a Calvary Cessnock trainee. The pre-vocational training component of the program is subsidised by the NSW Government under its Smart and Skilled initiative.

2 groups of students have been given the opportunity to participate in the program. Throughout the course students undertake 60 hours of work placement which commences in week 5 of their program. Students will be partnered with Calvary Cessnock mentors throughout the placement.

Calvary Cessnock General Manager Kristin Smith said “This program is about finding individuals that want to make a difference in our Resident’s lives. You have to love working with older people and you have to have a can do attitude. The pre-vocational program allows both Calvary and the individual to decide if the aged care industry is for them. We have had many trainees go on to full employment in the industry or further their studies as a Registered Nurse”. She added, “There are so many great applicants this year and it will be hard to narrow the list down”.

Kylie Williams, Acting Education Unit Senior Officer for WEA Hunter said “This pre- vocational course gives you a starting point not just in the aged care industry but across the community and disability sector. It is a great initiative for education and employment in the Cessnock region”.