Innovative Health Careers Programme Launched: SDHB

Tuesday 31 March 2009

Innovative Health Careers Programme Launched by Southland District Health Board

A ‘first of its kind’ programme in Southland which sees health professionals entering the classroom to foster student passion for a career in health has been launched by Southland District Health Board.

The Incubator Programme (which was developed by Hawkes Bay DHB in 2007) is a mentoring programme for year 12 and 13 students and is being piloted by SDHB and the Incubator Project Team at Invercargill’s Aurora College in 2009.

The initiative incorporates health professionals sharing their first hand knowledge and experience with students and sharing stories by way of conversation. The programme activity is well supported by an extensive range of resources including on line material, discussion forum boards and digital media so that students are well informed and encouraged to consider a career in the health sector.

The pilot programme (which has won a series of health and education innovation awards since its commencement) is being supported by our community funders, namely the ILT Group ($60,000 - made up of the Invercargill Licensing Trust $20,000 and the ILT Foundation $40,000), and the Community Trust of Southland ($15,000 ) , for year one.

SDHB Chief Operating Officer Lexie O’Shea said the programme was an innovative and important initiative to encourage more students into the health sector and help ease future work force shortages.

“It’s an exciting way to further an interest in health careers, ensure local secondary students are better informed on health issues, the diverse range of career opportunities and career pathways available and which subjects to take,” said Mrs O’Shea.

“We’ll be showing students there are a huge range of career opportunities in health – not just for doctors and nurses. We’ll be promoting all the options - from physiotherapists to medical technologists to even health managers, lawyers and business analysts.”

“We are delighted that Aurora College and our community funders have given us their support as the project reflects an evolving partnership approach between health and education as well as helping to develop our future health workforce.”

Aurora College Principal Robyn Hickman said she was excited about the opportunities the programme would provide for Aurora College students.

“I’m positive that it will widen the lens with which students view their future careers and that the students will relate especially well to the real-life interactions with workers from the health field,” she said.

Alan Dennis, Chairman, ILT Foundation and Invercargill Licensing Trust said “we have been looking for a project to assist Southland District Health Board attract and retain health professionals in Invercargill and we see this is an excellent opportunity”.

The Incubator Programme was first piloted by Hawkes Bay DHB in 2007, with Tairawhiti, Counties Manukau and West Coast DHBs commencing programmes in 2008.

ENDS

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