5 August 2024

TAFE NSW is using innovation - and a dash of digital flair - to foster the next generation of mental health and community services workers.

In a first for TAFE NSW, mental health and community services students at TAFE Digital now have access to an interactive weekly webinar, featuring guest speakers across the industry spectrum.

The Industry Chat Webinars are drawing increasing numbers and have featured everyone from the NSW Deputy Mental Health Commissioner to those living with mental health conditions.

TAFE Digital Head Teacher of Community Services Yasin Bagci said the webinars were a powerful way to engage students and help them build their industry knowledge and networks.

“We invite frontline industry experts from across the mental health sector and each week the identity of the guest is a surprise – the students just love it,” Mr Bagci said.

“The webinars are really interactive and we are engaging our younger cohort in a digital way; it really is the future of learning.

“It’s great for the industry too because it helps connect them with students in the middle of a very real skills shortage.”

Mr Bagci said the webinars were highly interactive, allowing students to ask questions of guests. Among recent guests were art therapists, forensic mental health workers, peer workers, suicide prevention experts, NDIS support coordinators, domestic violence workers and many more.

One of last month’s speakers was Chief Operating Officer of Specialisterne Vicky Little, part of a not-for-profit specialist recruitment organisation that aims to create greater employment opportunities for autistic people.

“It was a great way to connect with future mental health professionals and explain to them the importance of removing barriers for neurodivergent jobseekers,” Ms Little said. “I’m hoping I inspired some of them to consider a role in an organisation like ours.

“It’s very unique what TAFE Digital is doing and a great way to connect students with employers, and do a deep dive about what’s happening in the sector.”

According to the National Mental Health Workforce Strategy, there is a 32 per cent shortfall in mental health workers nationally when compared to 2019 targets, a figure set to grow to 42 per cent by 2030 if not urgently addressed.

One of the many students to benefit from the TAFE Digital webinars is Monica Sewter, 56, an artist and cleaning company owner keen to pursue a career in the booming field of art therapy.

“The webinars are fantastic: there’s so much information and they’ve opened my eyes to the many different career avenues in mental health,” Ms Sewter said. “As a mature-aged students, I was worried about studying virtually with TAFE Digital but it’s been easier than expected and gives me the flexibility to study when and where I want.”

Media contact: Dan Johns, TAFE NSW Communications Specialist, Daniel.johns9@tafensw.edu.au, 0477 722 428