Souths Cares partnership with Indigenous Allied Health Australia (IAHA) is achieving great outcomes for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander learners, with the 2023 cohort of the Allied Health School-Based Traineeship initiative including 11 students.
The School-Based Traineeship program includes students from Western and South Western Sydney working at Campbelltown Aboriginal Medical Service, Liverpool Aboriginal Medical Service and Campbelltown Hospital for their work placements whilst completing the theory component of their Certificate 3 in Allied Health each Monday at Granville TAFE.
Souths Cares Barranggirra Program has been supporting the group each week through academic mentoring and group workshops focusing on career development. The dedicated group of learners are all in Year 11, have an eagerness to learn new skills and a desire to fast-track their careers in the Health sector.
Chardonnay Edde is one of the learners who is completing the School-Based Traineeship program and is currently learning the skills of a Medical Receptionist. This includes booking appointments, taking patient phone calls, providing high quality customer service, processing Medicare and Private billing and liaising with medical staff.
Chardonnay stated the support from Souths Cares has helped her establish a career pathway for after school.
“Souths Cares Mentors have provided us with great support and always been there when we need a person to talk to. The program has helped me to realize what is possible and to establish my training and employment goals for the future”, Chardonnay said.
Barranggirra Mentor Corey Kelly explained it has been rewarding to be part of Chardonnay’s journey.
“I have had the opportunity to assist Chardonnay in her growth as a student and a young adult over the past three months. Since working with Chardonnay, I have seen her confidence and maturity grow and become a leader within the group”, Corey said.
The group of learners are all tracking well throughout the practical and theory components of their School Based-Traineeships and have been rewarded by Souths Cares with tickets to the Rabbitohs Round 11 and Round 13 NRL matches, which they attended as a group for team-bonding.
The initiative has proved again that collaboration is the key to achieving great outcomes for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait learners with IAHA, TAFE NSW and Souths Cares working collectively to support participants throughout their School-Based Traineeships.
Souths Cares Barranggirra Program is proudly supported by Training Services NSW.
