A purpose-built facility on Charles Darwin University’s Katherine rural campus will provide a much needed boost to community and health training for remote students in the Territory.
The Community Services, Aged Care and Health Facilities training facility, costing more than $1.5 million, will be opened officially by the Hon Warren Snowdon MP on Thursday, 17 May.
CDU General Manager of VET Business Improvement Dr Steve Shanahan said the facility housed equipment to meet various training requirements in the critical areas of health and community services.
“Those in the Katherine region wishing to pursue a career in community and health services can now undertake programs in community services work, disability services, youth work, aged care, and oral preventative health at the Katherine campus,” he said.
Dr Shanahan said the building would enable staff to facilitate programs ranging from basic caring, food preparation and childcare, to medical emergency and clinical training.
“CDU has a strong community services and health team currently delivering training,” he said.
“The team can now improve the delivery of high quality and consistent VET training relevant to community situations and their identified need.
“The equipment includes training mannequins, medication dispensing carts – to teach administration of medications, and current aged care equipment including aged care beds, wheelchair lifting equipment and mobility aides.”
Dr Shanahan said the Katherine campus also had accommodation for up to 90 students to facilitate training opportunities for regional students.
“This is particularly important for Indigenous students who live in surrounding communities who wish to complete their certificates without the tyranny of distance,” Dr Shanahan said.
“The benefits of having a safe and secure learning environment where students can undertake training in these critical need areas of community services, aged care, oral and health ultimately enables improved outcomes in the care delivery for Indigenous people in their communities.”
Funding for the facility was provided by the Australian Government via the Training Infrastructure Investment for Tomorrow program.
The training facility will be opened at 10am on 17 May by Warren Snowdon, Member for Lingiari.