News

Work begins on Community Health and Learning Hub in Castlemaine

Bendigo TAFE and Dhelkaya Health are teaming up to establish a transformative Community Health and Learning Hub located at Dhelkaya Health in Castlemaine.  

Bendigo TAFE CEO Sally Curtain and Dhelkaya Health CEO Sue Race were joined by Member for Bendigo West the Hon Maree Edwards MP on site today to mark the start of works.  

The innovative regional initiative will bring job opportunities and vital training prospects to the region healing to address skills shortages in the local health sector.

This project is made possible thanks to a $4 million Victorian Government investment and will involve a complete refurbishment of a hospital wing at 142 Cornish Street, Castlemaine. 

The Hub will help address skills shortages in the local health sector by offering training facilities for an expanded range of Bendigo TAFE’s health services qualifications, with plans to include subjects such as allied health, aged care and nursing.

The collaboration with Dhelkaya Health will give Castlemaine and surrounding regional residents more choices to live, learn and work locally. 

Additionally, Bendigo TAFE students will have direct access to placement and work opportunities in the health care industry.

Award-winning infrastructure design studio Architectus has designed the Hub, creating a flexible and multi-use facility that simulates real-life experiences and puts learning on display. Barpa, a majority Indigenous owned commercial construction company, has been engaged to undertake this construction project. Project plans were launched in May 2024, with the facility expected to be completed by mid 2025.  

Once complete the facility will include:   

  • 4 bed health care simulation space  
  • 2 bed aged care simulation (residential care)  
  • home unit simulation (in home care)  
  • general purpose classrooms, complemented by student breakout, storage, reception and a shared staff office space.

The facility will be a shared training and workspace for use by Bendigo TAFE for training delivery and by Dhelkaya Health for training development for staff in the graduate nurse program, external students and the Monash University GP program. It will have capacity to host more than 60 students at any one time. 

This significant collaboration between Bendigo TAFE and Dhelkaya Health demonstrates a commitment to fostering skills and training excellence, expanding the pipeline of much needed qualified workers and strengthening Castlemaine’s healthcare infrastructure.  

Through strong collaboration with other local industry and partners, the Community Health and Learning Hub in Castlemaine will be a game changer for students and aspiring health and community workers in the region. 

Quote attributable to Member for Bendigo West Maree Edwards

“It’s fantastic that TAFE is back in Castlemaine.

“This partnership between Bendigo TAFE and Dhelkaya Health is a great example of industry and training providers working together to bring essential training and job opportunities to our region.

“This new learning Hub will give students access to world-class training facilities in their hometown and attract more people to consider a career as one of regional Victoria’s valuable and much-needed healthcare workers.

“Our Free TAFE courses include Diploma of Nursing, Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance, Certificate IV in Mental Health and Diploma of Community Services.”

Quote attributable to Bendigo TAFE Chief Executive Officer Sally Curtain

“It’s great to be starting construction on this much-needed training facility. This will expand options for Castlemaine and surrounding communities, enabling locals to access skills and clear employment pathways closer to home.

“This project will enable Bendigo TAFE to deliver quality training to students and work with industry partners like Dhelkaya Health, to help relieve regional skills shortages in high priority areas like healthcare.”

Quote attributable to Dhelkaya Health Chief Executive Officer Sue Race

“We are thrilled to see the construction of the Health and Learning Hub underway, marking a major milestone in our journey to enhance healthcare training and workforce development in the region.

“Together with Bendigo TAFE, we are building a sustainable, skilled workforce that can provide high-quality care to our communities for years to come.”

 

 

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