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The future of potential Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health leaders on the Darling Downs looks bright, with a record number of students expected to join a state-wide cadetship program.
The Queensland Health initiative is in its second year on the Darling Downs, with seven students expected to join the First Nations cadet program from later this year.
Darling Downs Health Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Workforce Program Manager Kim Besley Scott said the program was helping to grow the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workers across the organisation.
“Our cadetship program supports all undergraduate health disciplines,” said Ms Besley Scott.
“It offers valuable hands-on experience to develop job-ready skills and fosters strong collegial relationships in a real work environment."
Darling Downs Health Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Workforce Program Manager Kim Besley
"We are committed to supporting cadets in building successful careers. This is a sustainable pathway to growing our workforce locally.”
First Nations cadet Chelsea Pettman, a Kamilaroi woman, has recently finished a placement in Injune and said she was enjoying her time in the cadetship program.
Ms Pettman, who’s the first of her family to go to university, said her studies had inspired her older sisters to do the same.
She said it was important having more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers, to provide culturally safe services.
“When you go somewhere where you can’t express yourself and people don’t understand you, it makes it difficult, and people just don’t turn up.”
“It makes it easier when you see familiar faces or they understand where you are coming from, it makes a difference,
Under the program, cadets are employed for 12 months where they develop their knowledge and skills, carry out 60 days of work experience and are given financial support while finishing their study at university.
Darling Downs Health continues to increase the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workforce across the health service and in all professions.
Later this year an updated Health Equity strategy which outlines a range of initiatives to improve health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders will continue to guide our staff on this important commitment to the community.
ENDS