Cairns healthcare industry receives $35m training precinct at TAFE

A new $35m training facility in Cairns is expected to help meet workforce demand for the industry anticipated to become the Far North’s greatest employer in just one year.

TAFE Cairns nursing students Jake Austin and Jessica Kitchener are nearing completion of their diploma.

The establishment of a new $35m health training facility is expected to boost the number of professionals entering the Far North’s rapidly growing aged care, disability support and mental health care sectors, cementing the region’s status as a healthcare hub.

The state and federal governments on Wednesday will announce joint funding to establish a Care and Support Centre of Excellence precinct at TAFE’s Cairns Campus, in a bid to boost the number of skilled workers across industry touted to become the Far North’s greatest employer by 2025-26.

Federal Minister for Skills and Training Brendan O’Connor said new centre of excellence would partner with industry healthcare providers and universities and aim to increase accessibility for regional, rural and remote students, by reducing the digital divide, support Closing the Gap commitments by providing “culturally appropriate” training, as well as opening new and additional pathways into the sector.

The State and Federal Governments will invest $35m into establishing a Care and Support Centre of Excellence precinct at TAFE’s Cairns Campus.

“This will boost collaboration between universities and the VET sector,” Mr O’Connor said.

“It will deliver the skills and knowledge our labour market requires and strengthen our resilience and our healthcare services, now and in the future.”

His state counterpart, Minister for Training and Skills Development Lance McCallum said the majority of growth in Queensland’s care sector was expected outside the capital.

“Health care and social assistance is Queensland’s fastest growing industry, set to employ more than 487,000 people by 2025-26,” Mr McCallum said.

Cairns MP Michael Healy noted the industry’s significance not only throughout the state, but as the Far North’s major employer, pitching the region as a “national leader” in healthcare.

TAFE Cairns nursing students Jake Austin and Jessica Kitchener are nearing completion of their diploma.

TAFE Cairns nursing student Jessica Kitchener is about five months away from the completion of her course and said after spending “a lot of time with mum at the hospital” she developed a passion for healthcare, in particular, mental health support.

“If mental health doesn’t work out then I want to go into the emergency department and that for me will be rural and remote work,” she said.

Fellow student Jake Austin also has an interest in mental health and alcohol and tobacco recovery support and said he also foresaw himself working in community clinics.

The centre of excellence investment follows the announcement of a $60m Health and Innovation Centre in May, as well as $450m in capital works funding for the Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service.

Originally published as Cairns healthcare industry receives $35m training precinct at TAFE