Cultivating Connections: Quirindi High and Quirindi Care Services Forge a Community-Driven Traineeship Partnership 🏫
In a remarkable partnership aimed at enriching the lives of both students and aged care residents, Quirindi High School (QHS) and Quirindi Care Services (QCS) have come together to create a collaborative program with benefits for the whole community.
Opportunities for Students
QHS offers its students several avenues to engage with QCS, ranging from school-based traineeships to volunteer opportunities. Casey Hatch, People, Culture and Safety Manager at QCS, highlights, “We have school-based traineeships in Certificate III Individual Support (Ageing & Disability) and Certificate IV Leisure & Health. We also support students to undertake work experience at Eloura.” Additionally, students can participate in community events. “Students at Quirindi High School who are part of the band come along to the Eloura Garden Party and Art Show and play for our residents and guests,” said Kim Riley, General Manager at QCS.
Positive Student Outcomes
The collaboration between QHS and QCS has already yielded significant benefits for students. Many past participants have continued their careers in aged care, with some advancing to Enrolled Nurse qualifications.
“Past students completing traineeships have either continued on working with us or advanced their career further,” notes Casey Hatch. This program clearly sets students on a rewarding career path in the healthcare sector.
Image Caption:
Meet Jesse, a dedicated student from Quirindi High School, who is thriving during his work experience at Eloura. With the support of Raegan Schofield, the Careers Adviser at Quirindi High School, and our lifestyle team, Jesse is building confidence and valuable skills every Thursday. It's wonderful to see him becoming an integral part of our team. Also pictured is Casey Hatch, the People Culture & Safety Manager at QCS, who ensures our trainees seamlessly integrate into the team at QCS.
Career Pathways and Personal Growth
Students engaging with QCS not only develop professional skills but also gain self-confidence and a sense of purpose.
“Outcomes could be that they gain self-confidence and self-awareness as they grow in learning new skills and gaining knowledge,” said Kim. They learn to support and care for the elderly, which brings emotional rewards and builds meaningful connections. “They also get the emotional rewards witnessing firsthand the difference they can make because of the care given,” Kim added.
Benefits of Traineeships at Eloura
Traineeships at Eloura provide students with the unique advantage of learning on the job while continuing their school studies.
“They get constant support and mentoring as they are buddied with another employee while on their traineeship,” explained Casey. This practical experience helps students develop teamwork, time management, and professional skills, preparing them for future employment opportunities within any workplace.
“The confidence, sense of purpose, resilience, and rewards of working with our team hopefully flows over to their studies at school,” Casey emphasised.
Quirindi Care Services has become well-known in recent years for a commitment to creating a supportive and happy workplace. Staff are highly valued, receive comprehensive training, and are provided with ample opportunities for growth and development.
“We believe that investing in our staff and valuing their needs leads to the best outcomes for our residents, community, volunteers, and, of course, the staff themselves. The positive ripple effect of this approach cannot be overstated,” said Kim. “We hope that the students who come to us for training also experience this supportive workplace environment and carry these values with them into their future careers,” she added.
A Promising Career in Aged Care
The aged care industry offers students various pathways for career advancement, including advancing to become a registered nurse or enrolled nurse.
Students can progress to these roles, gaining experience with residents from diverse backgrounds, and can further their training to enhance their skills. “There are opportunities for growth of learning new skills and gaining valuable experience working with residents from diverse backgrounds,” Kim said.
Resident Engagement and Community Impact
The presence of students at QCS has been met with a positive response from residents, promoting social engagement across generations. “Residents have had a positive response to students, and it has boosted the social engagement between different generations,” said Casey.
Many residents, who have long been part of the Quirindi community, take pride in seeing young people pursuing careers in their hometown. “Some residents have a familial relationship with the students and feel justifiably proud of their achievements,” Casey notes.
Image Caption: Quirindi Care Services cements itself as an essential, caring member of the local community, employing local staff, supporting our elderly, providing a place for families to meet, and offering valuable traineeships for Quirindi High School students.
Strengthening Community Ties
Community collaborations like this one between QHS and QCS create a pathway for students to transition into the workforce and explore careers in aged care. Such partnerships foster a sense of community, enhance social engagement, and contribute to the overall well-being of both students and residents.
“It fosters a sense of community and providing opportunities for social engagement that can enhance physical health, mental well-being, and emotional resilience,” said Kim. By working together, these organisations support the social fabric of Quirindi, ensuring sustainable growth and development.
Insights from Quirindi High School
Ms. Raegan Schofield, Careers Adviser at QHS, emphasised the importance of real-world experience in students' education.
“Students at Quirindi High School who participate in work experience learn how to apply employability skills in real-world settings,” she explained. Raegan noted that work placements at QCS help students apply classroom-taught employability skills in practical settings, thus enhancing their understanding of workplace dynamics.
“They learn about employability skills in the classroom. Practicing these skills in a workplace while collaborating with professionals contributes to the students’ understanding of how to function in a work-related environment,” she added.
QHS facilitates these opportunities through a comprehensive course counselling process, aligning students' senior subject choices with their career aspirations. “At Quirindi High School we have a comprehensive Course Counselling process where we identify students’ career pathways,” said Raegan. This approach ensures that students make informed decisions about their future, supported by ongoing mentorship from both the school and QCS.
Evaluation and Continuous Improvement
To evaluate the success of these programmes, QHS collects feedback from employers about students' performance during placements.
“We value the feedback employers can provide us on the student’s experience in an employment setting,” said Raegan. This feedback is crucial for identifying students' strengths and areas for improvement, allowing for a tailored approach to their professional development.
“This allows the student to evaluate their strengths and areas needing a little extra attention,” Raegan added.
The partnership between Quirindi High School and Quirindi Care Services is a shining example of community collaboration. By providing students with valuable training and work experience, and enhancing social engagement for residents, this initiative strengthens the Quirindi community. It prepares students for fulfilling careers in aged care while enriching the lives of the elderly, showing the power of mutual support and shared growth.
Featured in:
Hello Leaders https://helloleaders.com.au/article/schools-in-quirindi-care-services-collaborates-with-local-high-school
Australian Ageing Agenda https://www.australianageingagenda.com.au/facility-operations/high-school-trainees-learn-on-the-job/
Quirindi Advocate