December 13, 2011
A new course to help students progress to tertiary healthcare studies has been launched in a partnership between Monash University, GippsTAFE and AdvanceTAFE (formerly East Gippsland Institute of TAFE).
State Ministers Peter Ryan and Peter Hall made the announcement today as part of the Regional Partnership Facilitation Fund (RPFF).
The Diploma in Health and Community Care will prepare students to study a range of fields including nursing, community welfare and allied health at Monash University.
Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has been a strong advocate for improving access to university for regional students.
He said it would be a significant incentive for local students that they could undertake a Diploma course before taking up tertiary healthcare studies without having to move away from home.
“It is well known that people who grow up in the country and have links to a regional area are more likely to return to a regional area once they have completed their studies,” Mr Chester said.
“With skill shortages in regional areas, it’s important that we encourage local students to consider a career in health.
“This initiative will better prepare local students to study healthcare at university without the need to move away from home.”