Trainees Ready For Big Step In Healthcare Careers

A graduation ceremony at Mackay Base Hospital for six Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students last week marks the next big step in turning their healthcare career dreams into a reality.

The teens have completed an 18-month traineeship across various departments at the hospital as part of the Budyubari Bidyiri Kebi Stapal or Big Dream, Small Steps Program.

In a ceremony on Tuesday 10 September, the students cut the graduation cake and were presented with their Certificates lll qualifications in either Health Services Assistance or Allied Health Assistance.

Mackay Hospital and Health Service (HHS) chief executive Susan Gannon congratulated the 2024 graduates who began their traineeships early last year.

“Each trainee has gained valuable skills, insight and experience in the healthcare industry while still at high school and working in various units across the Mackay Base Hospital,” she said.

“The aim of the program is to build the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workforce to better reflect the community we care for.”

Mackay HHS organisational development manager Kelly Klemen said the traineeship gave the students ‘on-the-job’ experience and helped them develop foundational skills, knowledge and practical experience working in the health sector.

“It’s become such a valuable, growth experience for many of them it solidifies their decision to work in the healthcare industry,” she said.

As one of seven children in his family, trainee Domonik Battersby felt very “at home” working in the paediatric department at Mackay Base Hospital and well as spending time in the surgical unit, wound clinic and emergency department.

“This traineeship has been a real stepping stone for me to realising my dream,” Domonik said.

“I’ve worked different shifts, seen many different aspects of working in healthcare and heard some really interesting stories; it’s helped finalise my decision to work towards being a travel nurse,” he said.

North Mackay State High School student and trainee Tiarni Walker is committed to studying nursing at university after she began her traineeship in April last year. Working in both the renal unit and F2 medical unit at the hospital helped her to develop rapport with patients and grow her confidence.

“I did a range of different tasks such as feeding, showering and bathing and bed making in the unit. I really liked seeing the elderly patients, having a chat with them and knowing that what I was doing was making a difference to them,” Tiarni said.

The Big Dream, Small Steps Program is a collaborative effort which provides a network of support for students. It is funded through Metro North’s Deadly Start program who have partnered with registered training organisation (RTO) Connect ‘n’ Grow to deliver the training. Students are also provided with support by Seed Foundation Australia.

The Budyubari Bidyiri Kebi Stapal (Big Dream, Small Steps) program 2024 cohort began their school-based traineeships in July.

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Big Dream, Small Steps traineeship graduates and local high school students include, from left, Tiarni Walker, Yasmin Johnson, Fletcher Pinkard, Domonik Battersby, Bella Roberts and Macy Rudken

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