12 February 2019

The region’s health and wellbeing sector is forecast to grow over the next two years and TAFE NSW Goulburn has new courses to train the workforce of the future.

With the expansion of Goulburn and Cooma hospitals and an ageing population in the region, TAFE NSW has introduced Certificate IV in Mental Health and the Certificate IV in Disability this year.

The   accessibility of the courses in Goulburn was good news for Headspace Goulburn Services Manager Gail Davies who is very aware of the demand for people with skills in mental health and other forms of counselling.

“I am hopeful that if locals complete the Certificate IV in Mental Health, it will increase our opportunity to employ more staff,” she said.

“There is a strong demand in this region for people with mental health training. Counselling qualifications are not enough, our employees need that mental health training too.

“The mental health course can be a major career stepping stone to specialise in different client groups including; youth, drug and alcohol, domestic violence, homelessness, aged care, and people on rural properties.”

Ms Davies said the first step was to gain the foundation skills through the TAFE NSW course.

“Sadly no community is isolated from this need for mental health support. There is a massive need in every community for trained people with this skillset.”

While the qualifications target job opportunities in the health sector, it is likely the qualifications could lead to job opportunities in the TAFE NSW teaching sector.

If the demand for qualified health care workers continues to grow, the demand for more training and therefore teachers will increase.

TAFE NSW Head Teacher of Mental Health Ashleigh Ellis said the courses were “a real grass-roots response to the enormous need in the region.”

She said the courses will be delivered by TAFE NSW teachers who work directly with industry and will combine face-to-face classroom work with online delivery via TAFE Digital connected classrooms

“Students and teachers will be involved in local projects and industry for students to gain real practical skills and experience while broadening their networks,” Ms Ellis said.

Also available at TAFE NSW Goulburn for the first time in semester one is the Certificate IV in Disability. Graduates of the Certificate IV in Disability will hold a nationally-recognised qualification to support and empower people with disabilities to achieve greater levels of independence.

For more information about the new semester one courses on offer at TAFE NSW Goulburn phone 131 601 or visit www.tafensw.edu.au.

Media contact: Adam Wright, TAFE NSW Media Officer, (02) 4421 9895, mobile 0466 375 552.