Gracen Bussell, 16, has been busy learning new skills at the Moree District Health Service.
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The Moree Secondary College student has been involved with a school based traineeship since the beginning of March.
Gracen will leave school with a nationally-recognised nursing qualification and a few extra dollars in her pocket thanks to a unique initiative available through Hunter New England Health.
Gracen says she has been enjoying the experience.
“It has been great; every shift I am learning new skills,” Gracen said.
She signed up for a Certificate III in Health Service Assistance being offered as a joint venture with Hunter New England Health, TAFE and the Department of Education and Training.
The certificate enables high school students to enter the paid workforce while learning ‘on the job’ for a qualification which counts as credit towards their final HSC result.
Moree District Health Service manager Bronwyn Cosh has been more than happy to have Gracen on board.
“We love have trainees with us,” Mrs Cosh said.
“If we can encourage more local students to get involved with traineeships in Moree then we have more chance of keeping them at our hospital,” she added.
Gracen has been doing three shifts a fortnight during the school term.
On school holidays she was able to pick up more shifts.
She has been considering a career in nursing for the past few years.
“I have really been enjoying it; it’s great to have the opportunity to work and go to school at the same time,” she said.
Each week Gracen will work at the Moree District Health Service to complete the practical part of the course spending 100 days in employment over two years of the program.