July 11, 2026
Healthcare pathway opens doors for local high school students Year 9 and 10 students from Macksville High School and Bowraville Central School recently attended NV College and achieved nationally recognised competencies in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Provide First Aid. Pictured here with the students are (left) NV College’s business development officer, Amanda Davis, and (right) Dionne Court, Head Teacher educational pathways program, NSW Department of Education.

Healthcare pathway opens doors for local high school students

A GROUP of Year 9 and 10 students from Macksville High School and Bowraville Central School have taken an important step towards a future in healthcare after completing specialised training through NV College’s Introduction to Health Educational Pathways Program.

Delivered at NV College’s Macksville Campus, the program provided students with practical experience while introducing them to career opportunities within the health and aged care sectors.

As part of the course, students achieved the nationally recognised competencies Provide Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Provide First Aid.

These units also form part of the Certificate III in Individual Support qualification.

Using NV College’s state-of-the-art training facilities and equipment, students participated in hands-on first aid training designed to prepare them for real-life emergency situations.

The program also included several days at Autumn Lodge, where students spent time interacting with residents and gaining a greater understanding of the aged care sector.

Macksville High School student Kien said the experience had been both educational and rewarding.

“During our time at Autumn Lodge we gained great insight into the lives of elderly Australians and an understanding of many aspects of the aged care system,” Kien told News Of The Area.

“We all also enjoyed the first aid training delivered by our instructor Amanda, and I feel very confident that I could provide first aid in an emergency situation.”

Bowraville Central School student Kyron said the practical first aid component had equipped students with valuable, life-long skills.

“We all learned essential first aid skills and I will be talking about some of these with my family as they are things that we all should know,” he told News Of The Area.

Kyron also reflected positively on the opportunity to spend time with residents at Autumn Lodge.

“Communication between us students and the elderly residents was encouraged, well-received, and I felt that it bridged the gap between the generations.”

The Introduction to Health Educational Pathways Program was funded through the Targeted Industry Pathways Program (TIPP), a federally funded initiative designed to help students develop industry skills and explore future employment opportunities.

By combining nationally recognised training with practical workplace experiences, the program has given participating students valuable insight into the healthcare industry while equipping them with skills that will benefit them well beyond the classroom.

By Mick BIRTLES

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