Funded by the NSW Department of Education and Training, the program, called Corporate Partners for Change, is being trialled in this region as there is an ongoing requirement for staff in aged care.

The trainees will work closely with aged care service providers in the area and will be trained by Community College - Northern Inland training and assessment consultant Margaret Cupitt.

Community College executive officer Bronwyn Clinch said 11 students have commenced training.

She said the trainees must complete five units of the qualification plus work experience this year and the balance of the training will be undertaken in 2009.

“This program is aimed towards all participants gaining employment so we wanted to be sure we had the best candidates to care for our elderly citizens in a residential or home care situation,” she said.

“Each student went through a structured interview to establish their suitability for working in the aged care industry to ensure they could meet the standards required by local aged care services.”

The trainees will be able to provide a valued service to members of their own community as they are all from the area, including residents from Uralla and Guyra.

Community College - Northern Inland is running the training for the Certificate III in Aged Care Work in conjunction with Strathlea and Hilton Nursing Homes, Jobs Australia and Best Employment.

Ms Clinch said after 10 years of training people for the residential and home care sectors she is impressed with the quality of students in the group.

The Corporate Partners for Change is also being trialled in the meat industry with Bindaree Beef seeking staff in Inverell.