11 June, 2019

A PROJECTED surge in demand for massage therapists in the Riverina has sparked a substantial investment by TAFE NSW Wagga Wagga to help meet the looming jobs boom.

The state-of-the-art new massage clinic training rooms at TAFE NSW Wagga Wagga officially opened this week and mark the first dedicated massage training facility in the Riverina, boasting electronic massage tables, seated massage equipment and more.

The investment comes as the Federal Government’s Department of Jobs and Small Business forecast a more than 20 per cent spike in demand for massage therapists nationwide by 2023 – that’s more than 4000 new jobs.

The focus that TAFE NSW places on hands-on learning means members of the public can make an appointment with a Diploma of Remedial Massage student in the new rooms at a heavily discounted price, allowing students to assess the client, undertake a massage and offer follow-up advice.

TAFE NSW Remedial Massage Teacher Melinda Gager said: “Our massage clinic simulates the real-world workplace and appointments are conducted under the supervision of an experienced practitioner. Massage therapy really is a rewarding profession because you’re working with people to help improve and maintain their health and quality of life.”

Ms Gager said the industry was growing rapidly, with new jobs emerging in areas such as sports, aged care and preventative health. She said career opportunities were also opening up in multi-disciplinary health clinics, medical centres, gyms and sports centres, and in the surgeries of chiropractors, osteopaths and physiotherapists.

“We get people from all walks of life undertake the diploma course, including career changers and career starters,” she said. “A number of students have previously worked in mainstream health but want a more holistic, client-centred approach.”

Shaiju Antoney is a current Diploma student and despite already having almost 20 years international experience in massage, he said the course had been a profound learning experience.

“I wanted to update my qualifications and it was important to understand the legal and ethical differences in Australia as opposed to where I practised (Dubai and India),” Mr Antoney said.

“TAFE NSW has been extremely helpful; the teachers are very experienced and the facilities are great quality and have a great atmosphere. It’s actually a very similar environment to when you work in your own practice.

“It really is a job I would recommend. You’re able to help people and you get an instant response after treating them. It’s also a growing industry and there are a lot of good opportunities to earn good money.”

To find out more about studying the Certificate IV or Diploma of Remedial Massage at TAFE NSW, phone 13 16 01 or visit www.tafensw.edu.au.