Students studying disability, community and aged care now have the opportunity to train in an industry standard simulated environment, with the opening of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Training Centre at North Regional TAFE's Broome and Karratha campuses.
Education and Training Minister Sue Ellery and Disability Services Minister Stephen Dawson recently opened the facilities, which were built to cater for an increased demand for skilled aged care and disability workers.
The state-of-the-art facilities include dedicated teaching spaces and simulated in-home care environments, with customised bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchenettes and living rooms to reflect a client’s home.
The centres also includes a bedroom and ensuite bathroom that replicate hospitals and aged care facilities to ensure students can achieve the competencies required for NDIS-related training.
The new facilities will support the delivery of a number of relevant courses as part of the Lower Fees, Local Skills initiative, with course prices reduced by up to 72 per cent.
The NDIS Training Centres will enable to delivery of:
- Certificate III in Individual Support
- Certificate II – Diploma of Community Services
- Certificate IV in Ageing Support
In addition, they will also support the delivery of a number of shorter courses, including new Skills Ready training.
North Regional TAFE Managing Director Kevin Doig said he was thrilled with the new NDIS Training Centres and the opportunities they would create for local students and communities.
“These facilities will ensure students are skilled to meet the local demand in aged care and disability as part of the State Government’s roll out of NDIS across the State,” Kevin said.
“The simulated environments provide a fantastic opportunity for our students to experience a range of real-life scenarios using the most current practices and equipment.
“We are confident that these new facilities – combined with the State Government’s Lower Fees Local Skills initiative to halve course fees on a number of qualifications in Ageing, Disability and Community Care – will encourage and enable more students to upskill in a remarkably important industry.”