Nursing is in high demand as the need for more skilled nurses continues to grow.

Minister for Training and Skills Development Shannon Fentiman said with health care one of our fastest growing industries it’s critical we have enough nurses to meet the demand.

“We want to make sure we have the skilled workers we will need for the jobs now and into the future,” Ms Fentiman said.

“Last year we doubled the training subsidy for the Diploma of Nursing making it around $4,000 cheaper to study to be an enrolled nurse.”

“It’s fantastic to see an increase of over 270 new students enrolled in the Diploma of Nursing at TAFE and CQU Tafe since we announced the increased subsidy in December.

“This means more than 3,600 Queenslanders are getting the skills and training they need to become an enrolled nurse.”

“People are living longer and with Queensland’s population also increasing more health care workers will be needed in the future, we are ensuring we have the trained personnel in place,” Ms Fentiman said.

The Minister and Member for Morayfield Mark Ryan met with enrolled nurses at the Caboolture Hospital where the Palaszczuk Government has committed $352.9 million to deliver 130 new beds and significantly expand the services offered at the facility.

“We are investing in the health of our growing community,” Mr Ryan said.

“This includes our commitment to increase services at Caboolture hospital and $1 million in the Caboolture TAFE which includes $300,000 under this year’s State Budget for technology upgrades.”

“The health training at TAFE Caboolture feeds into the demand for staff at medical services in the surrounding northside community.”

There are currently 425 Diploma of nursing students enrolled at the Caboolture TAFE.

“The University of the Sunshine Coast also uses the health facilities at TAFE Caboolture to deliver university and vocational courses and student nurses are undertaking vocational training at Caboolture Hospital,” Ms Fentiman said.

“Our support for Diploma of Nursing is in addition to our free apprenticeships for under 21s initiative which has three apprenticeships on offer in healthcare (Individual Support)." 

“And there are over 30 local high school students undertaking a valuable qualification in Health Services at the Caboolture hospital while they are completing high school.”

“With more than half of the nation’s school-based apprentices and trainees being in Queensland, this shows that young people can finish year 12 and earn a qualification at the same time.” 

By 2031 the population of Caboolture and surround is expected to increase by more than 50 per cent. 

For more information at opportunities to enrol in health training. www.tafeqld.edu.au

ENDS

Media Contact:        ​Inga Williams ​​​0439 949 719

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