High school students across Springfield and Ipswich are launching their health careers by gaining nationally-recognised qualifications at the new Mater Health Hub, Springfield.
Mater Education's renowned Vocational Education and Training in Schools (VETiS) program has expanded to Springfield, as the region's demand for healthcare professionals continues to grow.
Mater Education is training more than 630 school-based students across Queensland in term one, 2024 – the largest cohort in Mater's history.
Students in years 10, 11 and 12 can graduate high school job-ready, with qualifications gained at Mater Education's purpose-built centre with state-of-the-art simulation technologies.
Mater Education Director of Learning and Development Toni-Maree Henaway said that the expansion of the VETiS program to Mater Health Hub, Springfield reinforces Mater's ongoing commitment to the region to build the healthcare workforce of the future.
"Mater Education remains committed to training future healthcare heroes in Springfield, and our VETiS program provides local high school students the opportunity to pursue their dream career while they are still at high school," Ms Henaway said.
Students can complete a state-funded, nationally recognised Certificate II in Health Support Services in just six months (two school terms), with the option to obtain a Certificate III in Health Services Assistance via a ten-week (one school term) gap program at a heavily subsidised rate.
Successful completion of these certificates contributes towards each student's Queensland Certificate in Education.
"VETiS provides students with the hands-on experience they need as healthcare professionals and give them the skills and knowledge they need to enter the workforce as assistants in nursing or continue their studies." Ms Henaway said.
Demand for health workers in Springfield is set to soar when Mater Hospital Springfield Stage 2 becomes operational in 2026.
The project being built through a partnership between the State Government and Mater and will deliver Springfield's first public emergency department, intensive care unit and comprehensive maternity and birthing services. The expanded hospital will employ more than 1000 people.
Schools participating in the program at Mater Health Hub, Springfield include:
- Brisbane School of Distance Education
- Bremer State High School
- Emmaus College
- Ipswich Girls' Grammar School
- Ipswich State High School
- St Mary's College, Ipswich
- St Peter's Lutheran College, Springfield
- The Springfield Anglican College
- West Moreton Anglican College
- Westside Christian College
- YMCA Vocational School
Springfield students interested in undertaking this opportunity are encouraged to enquire with their school about participating in Mater Education's VETiS program.
