Gateway To Training is celebrating the completion of the pilot year of its Care Pathways program, delivered in partnership with TAFE Queensland, with 17 students successfully completing the Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing and Disability) across Goondiwindi and St George; representing a 77% overall completion rate.
Gateway To Training Project Officer and Care Pathways trainer Peta Sue Raymond said the achievement was about much more than completing a qualification.
“This journey has been so much more than completing assessments and gaining a qualification. Over the past six months, I have had the privilege of watching these students grow in confidence, develop new skills, and overcome challenges along the way.
Bringing the training to Goondiwindi and St George has meant these students have been able to learn, build their confidence and work towards a meaningful career, without having to leave their communities.
I am incredibly proud of every student and grateful to have had the opportunity to support them as they worked towards this achievement.”
The Care Pathways program was designed to provide regional residents with an accessible pathway into the aged care and disability support sectors, while also helping address local workforce needs.
For people living in regional communities, accessing education and training can come with significant barriers, including distance, travel, work, and family commitments. Delivering the program locally has provided students with the opportunity to gain an industry-recognised qualification while remaining close to home.
The partnership between Gateway To Training and TAFE Queensland has brought quality, industry-relevant training directly to Goondiwindi and St George, supporting students to develop practical skills and move towards employment in sectors where skilled workers are needed.
Having local people entering the aged care and disability workforce is particularly valuable for regional communities. These graduates live locally, understand their communities, and now have the skills and qualifications to provide care and support to people in their own regions.
The success of the Care Pathways pilot program demonstrates what can be achieved when training providers and regional organisations work together to create accessible education and employment pathways that respond directly to local workforce needs.
Following the success of the pilot year, Gateway To Training is pleased to announce that Care Pathways has been funded for a further 12 months, allowing the program to continue supporting regional students into careers in aged care and disability support.
The next stage of the program will also see Stanthorpe added to the Care Pathways footprint, expanding access to training and creating further opportunities for people across the region to gain an industry-recognised qualification, whilst remaining in their community.