Careers day highlights job opportunities

The growing range of career opportunities related to aged services will be the subject of an information day at Southern Cross University’s Coffs Harbour campus on Thursday, August 24.

The Aged Services Careers Day is being hosted by the Aged Services Learning and Research Collaboration (ASLaRC), with contributions from the North Coast Institute of TAFE and a number of community-based organisations, to highlight the enormous range of job opportunities for school leavers and those considering a return to the workforce.

Professor Colleen Cartwright, the director of ASLaRC and Southern Cross University’s Chair of Aged Services, said the population of older people was increasing rapidly on the Mid North Coast.

“One result of this will be increasing opportunities for careers related to aged services, covering both healthy ageing and aged care,” Professor Cartwright said.

“The jobs cover everything from catering and hospitality to exercise and fitness, furniture design and landscaping to natural therapies and nursing.”

Professor Cartwright said one of the speakers would be Dr Graham Cooper, a lecturer in information technology at Southern Cross University, who would talk about computers and how information technology was being used to help older people and staff in aged care facilities and hospitals.

Other speakers will cover topics including the fitness industry, hospitality, nursing education, community services, mental health and disability services.

The information sessions will run from 9.30am to 12.30pm, on Thursday, August 24, in the D Block lecture theatre and will be followed by a free sausage sizzle and music provided by the CHEC band. For bookings, contact Leanne Carpenter on 66593197.

Photo: Professor Colleen Cartwright.