Over 100 Year 10 students from St Monica’s Catholic College are gaining work experience this week through placements coordinated by Vocational Partnerships Group (VPG), with one in three students exploring careers in healthcare.
Cairns & Hinterland Hospital and Health Service (CHHHS) is hosting eight of them – the largest single-school cohort the hospital has taken at once. The students are rotating through areas such as pharmacy, occupational therapy, medical imaging, orthopaedics, and maternity care, getting a firsthand look at what healthcare careers involve.
VPG, the community-based not-for-profit behind the placements, has supported school-to-work transitions in Far North Queensland for over 25 years, placing more than 1,400 students annually with local employers.
“Work experience is one of the most valuable things we can offer young people at this age,” said Tanya Andacic, VPG Senior Work Experience Officer. “It helps them figure out what careers might suit them before they commit to years of study or training.
“We’re incredibly grateful to partners like CHHHS who make these experiences possible. Hosting eight students is a big undertaking, and we appreciate their continued support.”
CHHHS Medical Imaging Clinical Educator Marnie Leighton said the work experience program plays a vital role in building the region’s future health workforce.
“The health field is only expanding and there are shortages nationwide in all our professions, so this exposure and experience is very important. Bringing students in, giving them exposure to what they think the healthcare world is and then showing them the reality of all the jobs and the scope – it’s beyond what most people think.”
Ms Leighton said regional hospitals like Cairns have a particular stake in getting young locals into health careers.
“We love growing our own. The more locals we can get in the better – we want to keep them, and we also want to send them further afield. This is an opportunity to explain exactly what we do and convince them they want to be one of us.”
The surge in health placements reflects what VPG is seeing across Far North Queensland. Healthcare consistently ranks among the top sectors where students seek experience, alongside trades, hospitality, and professional services.
“The strong interest in sectors like health highlights where young people see opportunity,” Ms Andacic said. “By hosting students now, local employers are helping build the workforce our region will depend on in the years ahead.”
VPG is encouraging local businesses to get involved by hosting students for one week of work experience. For more information, phone VPG on 4032 1677.
