January 2019 | Sharon Webb

EIGHT ADULT students qualifying at the Deloraine High School Trade Training Centre are looking forward to employment in the aged care sector in 2019. The centre’s co-ordinator, Berice van der Aa, said the class will return to complete final units in February before completing a four week work placement, followed by graduating with a Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing, Home and Community).

“Some students from this group have been successful in gaining employment while training while others are looking for positions; aged care work is a growth area,” Mrs Van Der Aa said. “They will work as carers in a variety of settings including in-home, respite care and in residential facilities and the great thing is they will all make a difference to someone’s life.”

Deloraine’s Trade Training Centre, based at the high school site, was boosted last year by the addition of a new building, where the Individual Support course is now located off East Church St. The new building creates a bright, welcoming multipurpose learning space for adults from Deloraine and wider Meander Valley region and for Year 11 and 12 vocational education students.

Ms Van der Aa said a Certificate II course in Kitchen Operations will be offered to Year 11/ 12 and adult students from the beginning of 2019 followed by Certificate II in Hospitality, depending on enrolments. “The automotive studies workshop will be upgraded to standard for delivery of Certificate I and II in Automotive which will be an option for Year 11/12 students in 2019. “Certificate II Agriculture is also offered,” she said.

Other big wins in 2018 included:

• The centre’s first students achieving a Tasmanian Certificate of Education (TCE);

• Five current high school students are employed on Australian School Based Apprenticeships where they participate in paid work for one or two days per week under a formal agreement, while they work towards a vocational qualification as well as their TCE;

• Students supported at school to work on individual interests and qualifications including screen and media and business courses;

• A growth in Year 11 enrolments for 2019.

Places are still available in the 2019 Individual Support course, which runs every Monday and Friday during school terms. TasTAFE trainers will hold an Individual Support information session early in March at the Trade Training Centre.

*Individuals, businesses or organisations interested in full certificate or skill set training should contact Mrs Van Der Aa. Phone 0407 936 391 or email berice.van.der.aa@education.tas.gov.au. Classes can be arranged for evenings or weekends to meet industry and business needs.

Photo | supplied