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Growing Careers for Hard-Working Hospital Workers in Eastern Victoria

New training and skills program now open to non-clinical workers in Victorian health services to help them to grow long and exciting careers in the health sector.

By Portal Admin - 8th December 2019 - Back to News

A landmark new training and skills program is now open to non-clinical workers in Victorian health services, helping them to grow long and exciting careers in the health sector.

Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing today urged health service workers to apply for 100 scholarships now available through the two-year $1.25 million Health Services Workers Training Fund.

The scholarships are open to hospital cooks, cleaners, orderlies, security guards and other administrative and support staff who are seeking to develop or learn new skills.

We know these non-clinical health service workers help make our hospitals tick, giving our dedicated doctors, nurses and midwives the support they need to keep saving lives.

These scholarships will open the door to new career opportunities for these critical health service workers, making courses more affordable while also strengthening and improving retention in Victoria’s health workforce.

The $10,000 scholarships will apply to training courses such as certificate studies in Health Services Assistance, Health Support Services, Non-Emergency Patient Transport, Health Administration, Health Care and in Hospital Security. The Health Services Workers Training Fund includes capped funding at 25% of the total scholarship to supplement employee wages while undertaking this training.

A Working Group with representatives from the Health Workers Union, TAFE providers and health services will provide advice on the final allocation of scholarships.

In the Victorian Budget 2019/20, the Victorian Government is investing $117.8 million to recruit and train more nurses, midwives and frontline health workers, and make further improvement to Nurse and Midwife to Patient ratios that will see 1,100 extra nurses and midwives in Victorian public hospitals.

The Victorian Government is delivering on their commitment to create a Nursing and Midwifery Workforce Development Fund, which will expand the existing Registered Nurse and Midwife Graduate Program and establish a graduate program for Enrolled Nurses for the first time.

This will employ 400 newly graduated Enrolled Nurses over the next four years, meaning Victorians will be able to study a Diploma of Nursing at TAFE – one of the Labor Government’s free priority TAFE courses – then start work as an Enrolled Nurse once they graduate.

The Fund will also provide up to 400 postgraduate scholarships for current nurses and midwives to upgrade their skills, 400 places in programs such as the Postgraduate Midwifery Employment Program, as well as refresher programs for up to 800 nurses and midwives currently registered and not practising, so they can re-enter the workforce or reskill in a speciality area of practice.

The scholarship guidelines and application form 2019/20 for the Health Services Workers Training Fund have been sent to all Victorian health services with applications closing on 20 December 2019.

Quotes attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing

"These scholarships provide a great opportunity to strengthen the skills of our health service workers, which will mean even better care for patients in Eastern Victoria."

"We want our health service workers to feel supported and armed with the right training to have fulfilling careers. I encourage all non-clinical health service workers to apply!"

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: support@gippsland.com

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  South Gippsland Shire Council’s second round of community grants is open until 31 March 2026, with seven drop-in sessions available to assist local clubs and groups with applications.
• Second round of South Gippsland community grants now open, with drop-in support sessions in various dates and locations
  South Gippsland Shire Council’s second round of community grants is open until 31 March 2026, with seven drop-in sessions available to assist local clubs and groups with applications.
• Labor provides rebates and programs to help regional households switch from costly gas to cheaper electric appliances
  The Allan Labor government is supporting 1,183 regional households impacted by Solstice's gas network closure with rebates, discounts, and programs to help them transition to cheaper, energy-efficient electric appliances.
• East Gippsland Council and farmers welcome the $2.75M boost for feral pig control under the Victorian government's Protecting Biodiversity program
  East Gippsland Shire Council and farmers welcome $2.75 million for feral pig control, focusing on public land, local employment, and coordinated efforts to protect agriculture, biodiversity, and regional communities.
• Health Care Australia to deliver immunisation services across Baw Baw, Casey and Cardinia Shires starting 1 July 2026
  Health Care Australia will manage immunisation services across Baw Baw, Casey, and Cardinia, offering National Immunisation Program vaccines, streamlining administration, improving efficiency, and providing access and flexibility for residents.
• Melina Bath criticised Labor's plan to create new national parks, locking out long-term bush users
  Liberals and Nationals oppose Labor's plan to convert 65,000 hectares into national parks, citing unfair exclusion of bush users despite strong opposition and a 40,000-signature petition against the proposal.
• East Gippsland Agricultural Sector Advisory Committee welcomes new members to strengthen engagement with farming
  East Gippsland's Agricultural Sector Advisory Committee welcomed new members, enhancing council's connection with farming communities while tackling key priorities like renewable energy, drought resilience, mental health, and pest animal challenges.
• Darren Chester joins East Gippsland community to honour fallen Victoria police officers on Remembrance Day
  Darren Chester joined the East Gippsland community for National Police Remembrance Day in Bairnsdale, honouring Victoria Police officers who lost their lives and recognising those who continue to serve.
• Heyfield Wetlands visitors can now refill bottles and provide water for dogs using new fountain
  Heyfield Wetlands receives new drinking fountain, supporting community recreation, hydration, pets and Gippsland Water’s broader public refill network initiative.
• Baw Baw Shire Council appoints experienced leader Tilla Buden as new chief executive officer commencing on November 2025
  Baw Baw Shire Council has appointed Tilla Buden as its new CEO, bringing extensive leadership experience and community focus. She will formally commence in the role on 17 November 2025.
• Forge Theatre hosts IMMERSIVE program celebrating creativity, collaboration and artistic experimentation across East Gippsland this March
  This March, Forge Theatre hosts IMMERSIVE, a month-long program encouraging creativity, collaboration, experimentation, workshops, performances, and community participation, celebrating East Gippsland’s vibrant, inclusive, and artistic spirit.
• Baw Baw Shire Council invites community to provide feedback on the new Alan Croxford Playground design by 20 March 2026
  Baw Baw Shire Council invites community feedback on two new Alan Croxford Playground designs, aiming to create a safe, engaging, and family-friendly space in Rawson through the Playground Renewal Program.
• Register now for the 2025 Garage Sale Trail and join Australia's biggest secondhand treasure hunt this November
  Registrations are open for the Garage Sale Trail this November - host a sale, declutter, earn cash, or find amazing secondhand bargains.
• Darren Chester secures 2M for Western Lakes Entrance upgrades underway, new pathway and safety improvements to benefit all users
  Safety upgrades on Lakes Entrance western approach are progressing, with a new pathway, improved barriers, and intersection works set to benefit motorists, pedestrians, and visitors before the Christmas peak.
• Gippsland to join European Union Program showcasing regional innovation in clean energy, tourism, agriculture and sustainable development
  Gippsland has been selected for a European Union research program, showcasing its leadership in clean energy, tourism, and agriculture while promoting international collaboration, innovation, and investment through the IURC initiative.
• Omeo celebrates opening of 114 km world-class mountain bike park set to transform regional adventure tourism
  Omeo has opened a $10 million, 114-kilometre mountain bike park, boosting tourism, supporting local businesses, and celebrating new streetscape and flood-recovery works that strengthen the town’s recreation spaces and future growth.
• Latrobe City Social Inclusion Action Group application is now open, submit expressions of interest by 24 April 2026
  Latrobe City Council seeks community members to join its Social Inclusion Action Group, helping guide funding decisions, strengthen connections, and improve inclusion and wellbeing, with applications open until April 24, 2026.
• Entries open for 2026 Bass Coast Business Awards celebrating innovation, excellence and community success
  Entries are open for the 2026 Bass Coast Business Awards, celebrating local business excellence across judged and People’s Choice categories, with applications closing 8 May and community voting closing 29 May 2026.