RJC Event Opens Doors for Aspiring Health Professionals
A recent event hosted by the Redlands Regional Jobs Committee highlighted the diverse career opportunities within Queensland’s growing health sector. Held at TAFE Queensland’s Alexandra Hills Campus and Redland Hospital, the Industry & TAFE – Health event provided students and community members a firsthand look at the various pathways into health careers, from hands-on roles in nursing and mental health to administrative positions.Health is Queensland’s largest employment sector, making up nearly 15% of the state’s workforce and employing more than 450,000 people. With the demand for healthcare services continuing to grow, driven by an ageing population and expanding infrastructure, this event offered invaluable insights into one of the state’s most critical industries.
Health is Queensland’s largest employment sector, making up nearly 15% of the state’s workforce and employing more than 450,000 people. With the demand for healthcare services continuing to grow, driven by an ageing population and expanding infrastructure, this event offered invaluable insights into one of the state’s most critical industries.
Hands-On Learning
The Industry & TAFE – Health event kicked off with a tour of TAFE Queensland’s Alexandra Hills Campus, where attendees explored a simulated hospital environment that gave them a glimpse into the practical realities of healthcare roles. During the visit, students also heard from CheckUp, introducing students to the wide range of career options available within the health industry, many of which are vocational education and training (VET) qualifications, delivered by TAFE Queensland and other RTO’s (Registered Training Organisations). TAFE Queensland guest speakers outlined the various health-related courses and flexible learning pathways offered at TAFE Queensland, including diploma programs and nursing qualifications.
Later, participants had the unique opportunity to visit Redland Hospital, where they toured the facility in small groups, rotating through key departments such as Allied Health, Nursing, Corporate Services, and Health Equity. This rotation gave attendees an up-close look at the day-to-day workings of a hospital, guided by healthcare professionals who shared insights into their roles. The experience allowed participants to see the variety of career opportunities available within Queensland Health, giving them a real sense of what it’s like to work in the industry.
Expanding Pathways Beyond University
For many students, the event was an eye-opener regarding vocational education and training (VET) pathways. Margaret Smith, Pathways Advisor from Redlands College noted that some students had previously only considered university as a post-school option. Seeing the facilities at TAFE Queensland Alex Hills Campus and learning about diploma-to-degree pathways now available within TAFE Queensland for nursing helped broaden students’ perspectives and future pathways ideas.This was further reinforced by Sabrina Kerr, CheckUp’s Gateway Program Manager, who pointed out the diverse roles within healthcare, from mental health support to dental assistant positions. “The pathways are endless,” she said, emphasising the flexibility offered by VET courses, which allow students to start working in healthcare roles sooner, while continuing their education.
Addressing Queensland’s Growing Health Needs
As the Queensland Health sector prepares to expand its workforce by 45,000 people by 2032, including a 46.4% increase in the nursing and midwifery workforce, the opportunities for young people entering the field are abundant. This growth reflects the state’s commitment to meeting the rising demand for healthcare professionals, driven by a growing population and increasing service usage. The event provided valuable insights into the various paths available, highlighting that university is not the only route into a healthcare career. Vocational pathways whilst at school and post school allow enrolled students to gain practical experience and enter the workforce quickly, particularly as local health services expand.
Kim Richards, Member for Redlands, noted the crucial role that events like these play in encouraging local students to pursue careers in health. “There are huge opportunities here in the Redlands, from apprenticeships and traineeships to cadetships and university degrees,” she said.
A Bright Future Ahead
For attendees, the event was a chance to explore the many options available in health. “I didn’t know there were so many different pathways,” said one student. “I’m excited about the idea of studying nursing now that I’ve seen the facilities and learned more about the opportunities. ”With flexible learning options and a growing need for skilled professionals, the future is bright for those entering Queensland’s health sector. For more insights from the event, watch our In Industry & TAFE – Health video, which includes interviews with participants and professionals. Press play below to watch the full video and explore the opportunities waiting in health.
