TasTAFE revamp mimics real-life workplaces for care students

A $1.4 million redevelopment will allow TasTAFE students to gain experience in real-life scenarios before they enter the workforce.

A REDEVELOPMENT at one of the state’s vocational educational facilities aims to give students a taste of workplace experience from the classroom.

The $1.4 million revamp of TasTAFE’s Clarence campus’s nursing, aged care and disability training areas has entered its final stages of construction, with work set to be completed by mid-year.

The new facilities will be modelled on real hospital wards and aged care facilities, and aligned with the latest industry standards transforming an entire block of the campus into a health training hub.

“This means TasTAFE students will be learning in facilities which are virtually identical to those they will come across on future work placements and ultimately their careers,” Education and Training Minister Jeremy Rockliff said.

TasTAFE CEO Jenny Dodd, left, head of nursing at TasTAFE Jonette Scott and Education Minister Jeremy Rockliff at the site of the $1.4 million redevelopment of the nursing/aged care and disability facilities at the Clarence TasTAFE campus. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

TasTAFE head of discipline nursing Jonette Scott said the redevelopment would help provide a consistent experience for students statewide, with other training areas developed in the state’s North-West and plans in place for similar developments in Launceston.

“Having the up-to-date equipment and being able to simulate realistic patient-care scenarios in a brand-new environment will be nothing we’ve ever done before,” she said.

TasTAFE chief executive Jenny Dodd said the build brought the campus “right up to contemporary standard”.

“It’s not only good for the students, but it’s good for the industry,” she said.