Latrobe Community Health Service and TAFE Gippsland join forces to strengthen Gippsland aged care and health workforce

Latrobe Valley students undertaking study in aged care, allied health, nursing and mental health will benefit from new employment pathways forged through a new partnership between Latrobe Community Health Service (LCHS) and TAFE Gippsland.

The two organisations recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at strengthening the workforce pipelines.

Latrobe Community Health Service CEO Paul Ostrowski said the health and aged care sector was one of the fastest-growing in Gippsland.

“There are students keen to build a career in these sectors, but often there are practical barriers in their way. That’s why Latrobe Community Health Service has pledged $15,000 annually in scholarship support, to assist TAFE Gippsland students with study costs including textbooks, travel and IT equipment.”

As part of the partnership, the community health organisation will also donate 10 laptops per year to support students experiencing financial hardship, and facilitate student placements for those studying aged care, allied health, nursing and mental health.

“Both TAFE Gippsland and Latrobe Community Health Service are passionate about supporting employment pathways for local students to develop the skills they need to enter the workforce and achieve their career goals in community health,” said Mr Ostrowski.

Mr Ostrowski said the opportunity to work with TAFE Gippsland will allow the organisation to broaden the range of services it offers to the Latrobe Valley community.

“This partnership provides an exciting opportunity to meet community demand in the Latrobe Valley region and beyond. Supporting employment pathways for graduates pursuing careers in community health not only supports local students, but gives us the opportunity to help combat the skills shortage that many organisations in the health sector are facing currently.”

TAFE Gippsland CEO, James Montgomery said the collaboration with LCHS was a positive step forward in addressing skills shortages in Gippsland.

“It reflects a genuine commitment from both organisations to work together to build workforce capacity in health and the aged care sector and ultimately deliver better outcomes for the Gippsland community,” Mr Montgomery said.

“This partnership reflects our shared commitment to building a stronger, more sustainable health workforce for Gippsland. Together, we’re creating clear pathways from training to employment while helping to meet the growing demand for skilled health professionals across the region.”

In Gippsland, LCHS provides services that span general practice (GP), nursing, allied health, dental, counselling and psychology, gambling support, alcohol and drug treatment, migrant and refugee settlement services, social connection and carer support services.