The Federal Government’s JobTrainer initiative is helping plug the critical shortage of nurses in NSW, giving locals an opportunity to enrol in a fee-free nursing course at TAFE NSW.

Penrith mother-of-two Kara Whitney was working in business administration before she was made redundant just before COVID-19 hit. When the 33-year-old found out about the JobTrainer initiative, targeted towards sectors experiencing growth, Kara jumped at the opportunity to study a Diploma of Nursing at TAFE NSW Kingswood.

​​​​​“I’ve always wanted to be a nurse but the thought of having a VET Student Loan was always something that was in the back of my mind,” Kara said.

“JobTrainer is allowing students like me, who previously would have never considered retraining, to launch careers in areas such as the health sector, which is in need of skilled employees.”

Research forecasts suggest that by next decade, 82,000 full-time registered nurses and midwives will be needed with only 74,000 available, creating a gap of 8,000 workers.

TAFE NSW Nursing Team Leader, Rogers Kumar said it was the right time for Kara to relaunch her career as a nurse.

“TAFE NSW has great industry connections for students to complete placements and seek employment opportunities paired with the state-of-the-art nursing facilities here at TAFE NSW Kingswood that are helping give students hands-on skills,” Mr Kumar said.

“Here at TAFE NSW we are proud to train a pipeline of enrolled nurses with skills that employers and the community are crying out for.”

“With Greater Sydney one of the top ten fastest-growing regions in the Western world, it’s important our health industry grows as the community grows.”

The nearby health and education precinct in the Nepean catchment known as The Quarter, is expected to deliver 6,000 additional healthcare jobs in the next 10 years and is earmarked to become an international destination for investment in health services, education, research and related technology.

JobTrainer provides school leavers and job seekers with low cost and fee-free courses at TAFE NSW to help you develop new skills and help the economy rebound by ensuring the workforce has the right skills, right now.

To find out more about the nursing courses at TAFE NSW, visit www.tafensw.edu.au or call 131 601

Media Contact: Jessica Cortis, TAFE NSW Communications Specialist, 0456 170 211.