Latest news with #TAFENSW
Yahoo
20 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
NSW announces $486.93m investment in New Bankstown Hospital
Australia's New South Wales (NSW) Government has committed an additional A$700m ($486.93m) towards the construction of the New Bankstown Hospital, as part of the state's budget. This investment means that the hospital is now closer to being delivered. Master plans were also released, and the new TAFE NSW site was announced. Located in south-west Sydney, the new facility is set to include a range of services, such as an emergency department, operating theatres, intensive care, and dedicated areas for maternity, mental health, and other services that will be determined as planning continues. With this latest funding, the total investment in the hospital has reached A$2bn. The hospital will be strategically located on Chapel Road at the existing TAFE NSW campus in Bankstown's central business district. Master plan reveals the hospital's proximity to public transport and other amenities, as well as designated zones for parking and potential future expansions. The hospital is also set to integrate with the current Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital, which will continue to operate as a healthcare facility. To facilitate the construction of the new hospital, the budget has allocated A$100m for the relocation of the TAFE NSW Bankstown campus. Most of the campus's training delivery will be moved to the new Western Sydney University Tower for the next five years, which is situated opposite the current campus. This budget continues the NSW government's commitment to healthcare infrastructure, building on over A$3.8bn invested in western Sydney. It encompasses A$790m for the new Rouse Hill Hospital, with an additional A$120m from the federal government, A$550m for the Fairfield Hospital redevelopment, A$350m for the Canterbury Hospital redevelopment, and A$120m for increasing bed capacity at Blacktown and Mount Druitt Hospitals. NSW premier Chris Minns said: 'The new Bankstown Hospital has been a long time coming, and while there is still a long way to go, this extra funding is a big step in the right direction to getting shovels in the ground and the hospital up and running." In February this year, the state government allocated A$1m to enhance hospitals and health facilities in Armidale and Moree through the Regional Health Minor Works Program. "NSW announces $486.93m investment in New Bankstown Hospital" was originally created and published by Hospital Management, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Sign in to access your portfolio
ABC News
27-05-2025
- General
- ABC News
Adventure sector facing trained worker shortfall after TAFE NSW scraps ropes courses
New South Wales' outdoor adventure and education sector is struggling to secure enough trained workers, two years after TAFE NSW discontinued a number of ropes training units. A Certificate III or IV in Outdoor Leadership includes elective courses in skills such as top rope climbing and belaying, which are core for those wanting to work in the adventure tourism sector. Business owners said the units in rope safety and awareness were critical for those wanting to work in canyoning or rock climbing, but students enrolled in the outdoor certificates through TAFE NSW had been unable to complete the modules in recent years. Outdoors NSW & ACT chief executive Lorie Modde said an unfortunate tragedy might have prompted TAFE NSW to suspend the elective ropes courses, but lamented the lack of information surrounding it. In October 2022, a student studying outdoor leadership died during a rope training course in the Blue Mountains. SafeWork investigated and reported the death was linked to a rope release issue, but concluded no further action would be taken. "We've been waiting since 2022 to find out what we could learn … to make sure there are better systems and better processes to go forward," Ms Modde said. "Of a workforce that's over 50,000 people, roping is one of the mandatory requirements we need for school camps." Ms Modde said nature therapy and tourism also needed trained guides. A TAFE NSW spokesperson said elective roping units had not been offered since 2022 "following an assessment of the feasibility and level of student demand". "It is standard practice for TAFE NSW to regularly review its course offerings, while continuing to meet the demands of students and industry," they said. Ms Modde rejected that, and said the industry had a shortfall of about 3,300 workers across full-time, part-time and casual roles that required roping skills, according to a 2025 industry survey. "TAFE NSW's withdrawal effectively turns its back on a wide web of industries and communities who rely on this training for safety and service delivery," Ms Modde told ABC Radio Sydney. The Blue Mountains is a hub for adventure tourism, with 4.4 million visitors each year, according to Destination NSW. More than 47,000 of those visitors take part in activities requiring trained guides, according to figures from Outdoors NSW & ACT. While ropes training is no longer available through TAFE NSW, students can choose to complete individual units — or the entire outdoor leadership course — at private institutions across Australia, with domestic course fees ranging up to $18,600 for the Certificate IV. But the site of private training providers can make this complicated, with the closest available to the Blue Mountains located 165 kilometres away in Lake Macquarie. Hugh Ward is an owner and director at the Blue Mountains Climbing School, which relies on part-time and casual staff to run recreational climbing and canyoning courses, as well as guided experiences for school and corporate groups. He said the decision to stop ropes training was complicated but was "choking off the supply line" of people equipped to handle complex outdoor situations. "My sense is that adventure tourism is growing in the mountains, [but] the [training course] places are becoming harder to get," he said. He noted the lack of any fee-free training at TAFE NSW as a primary driver of missing qualifications. Mr Ward described TAFE NSW's consultation with the sector as having "no straight answers" and said the characterisation of student demand was not a "true and accurate representation". "Our day-to-day is OK. Where it gets complicated is when we have a few trips out … we have to say no to things," he said. TAFE NSW said it had consulted with the adventure tourism industry on the changes as recently as last month. Blue Mountains Adventure Company manager Andy Mein echoed the concerns and said "all available guides" were needed for school programs, with the business "struggling" to meet demand for skilled guides with any further growth. Mr Mein said as previous TAFE graduates naturally moved to other areas or jobs, no rope trained guides would fill the void and businesses would be forced to restrict what they could offer. Though the flow-on effects of restricting visitor numbers were the main economic concern for the sector, Mr Ward said the mental health, risk management and communication skills developed in the outdoors benefited everyone.
The Advertiser
21-05-2025
- General
- The Advertiser
Meet the English teacher helping migrants and refugees begin their new life
Most of us take for granted the ability to fluently communicate with the people around us, but what if you were only recently arrived in Australia with little or no English skills? That's where TAFE NSW Tamworth English language teacher Bronwyn Cantrill steps in to help. Briefly describe who you are and what you do? I am from Tamworth, born and bred. I work as a teacher of English to migrants and refugees at TAFE NSW. I support students from a variety of cultural backgrounds as they work to improve their English, enabling them to better navigate our local community and prepare for employment. What do you love about living in the New England North West? I love the natural environment this area has to offer. We have four distinct seasons, so we can enjoy a cosy fire in the winter but escape the heat with a swim in the summer. The autumn trees give incredible colours to the landscape, and in late spring, Tamworth is washed with purple from the jacaranda trees. The wide-open space means I can always see hills on the horizon and the sky offers amazing sunrises and sunsets, not to mention the stars at night. What inspires you? I am constantly inspired by my students in our English language classroom at TAFE NSW. They come from all over the world, from Africa, South America and across many regions of Asia. Their journey and migration experience often involves separation from family, isolation, and the absence of things like familiar food and language. Their resilience, warmth and commitment to make new connections and create a new life is inspirational. What is your greatest achievement? I love being part of a team that excels in providing English language skills. We've worked hard at creating a program and classroom environment that results in our students learning English, as well as building friendships and learning about living and working in Australia. This means they develop a broad range of skills and choices for themselves and their families. What do you wish was embraced more widely by our region's women? One thing I have observed, through the life of a close friend, is a common experience particularly for women. She excels at work while providing foundational support to her family, sometimes at the cost of her own wellbeing. There are pulls in my friend's time and energy, with ageing parents and caring for grandchildren while holding up a career. I would love there to be a recognition of the ways women pivot in their focus from work to family. And not just recognition, but support systems for women at this stage of their life. What's something you're working on improving? As a teacher, I am always on the look out for ideas and material to use in my English lessons. Learning a language can be so much fun and I love to design activities that are useful and engaging. I laugh when everyone looks up at the classroom clock and says, 'Oh, it's lunchtime already!?' What's the best advice you've ever received? "If you haven't worn it in 12 months, give it away." Unfortunately, I rarely follow this advice. Regional NSW Recommendations Best business: Peel Picture Framing and Art Supplies in Bourke Street, Tamworth. Best place to eat: Le Pruneau on Bridge Street, Tamworth. Best event to attend: Fiesta La Peel, Tamworth Hidden gem: Quirindi for arts and crafts, silo art, and the Who'd a Thought It Lookout Most of us take for granted the ability to fluently communicate with the people around us, but what if you were only recently arrived in Australia with little or no English skills? That's where TAFE NSW Tamworth English language teacher Bronwyn Cantrill steps in to help. Briefly describe who you are and what you do? I am from Tamworth, born and bred. I work as a teacher of English to migrants and refugees at TAFE NSW. I support students from a variety of cultural backgrounds as they work to improve their English, enabling them to better navigate our local community and prepare for employment. What do you love about living in the New England North West? I love the natural environment this area has to offer. We have four distinct seasons, so we can enjoy a cosy fire in the winter but escape the heat with a swim in the summer. The autumn trees give incredible colours to the landscape, and in late spring, Tamworth is washed with purple from the jacaranda trees. The wide-open space means I can always see hills on the horizon and the sky offers amazing sunrises and sunsets, not to mention the stars at night. What inspires you? I am constantly inspired by my students in our English language classroom at TAFE NSW. They come from all over the world, from Africa, South America and across many regions of Asia. Their journey and migration experience often involves separation from family, isolation, and the absence of things like familiar food and language. Their resilience, warmth and commitment to make new connections and create a new life is inspirational. What is your greatest achievement? I love being part of a team that excels in providing English language skills. We've worked hard at creating a program and classroom environment that results in our students learning English, as well as building friendships and learning about living and working in Australia. This means they develop a broad range of skills and choices for themselves and their families. What do you wish was embraced more widely by our region's women? One thing I have observed, through the life of a close friend, is a common experience particularly for women. She excels at work while providing foundational support to her family, sometimes at the cost of her own wellbeing. There are pulls in my friend's time and energy, with ageing parents and caring for grandchildren while holding up a career. I would love there to be a recognition of the ways women pivot in their focus from work to family. And not just recognition, but support systems for women at this stage of their life. What's something you're working on improving? As a teacher, I am always on the look out for ideas and material to use in my English lessons. Learning a language can be so much fun and I love to design activities that are useful and engaging. I laugh when everyone looks up at the classroom clock and says, 'Oh, it's lunchtime already!?' What's the best advice you've ever received? "If you haven't worn it in 12 months, give it away." Unfortunately, I rarely follow this advice. Regional NSW Recommendations Best business: Peel Picture Framing and Art Supplies in Bourke Street, Tamworth. Best place to eat: Le Pruneau on Bridge Street, Tamworth. Best event to attend: Fiesta La Peel, Tamworth Hidden gem: Quirindi for arts and crafts, silo art, and the Who'd a Thought It Lookout Most of us take for granted the ability to fluently communicate with the people around us, but what if you were only recently arrived in Australia with little or no English skills? That's where TAFE NSW Tamworth English language teacher Bronwyn Cantrill steps in to help. Briefly describe who you are and what you do? I am from Tamworth, born and bred. I work as a teacher of English to migrants and refugees at TAFE NSW. I support students from a variety of cultural backgrounds as they work to improve their English, enabling them to better navigate our local community and prepare for employment. What do you love about living in the New England North West? I love the natural environment this area has to offer. We have four distinct seasons, so we can enjoy a cosy fire in the winter but escape the heat with a swim in the summer. The autumn trees give incredible colours to the landscape, and in late spring, Tamworth is washed with purple from the jacaranda trees. The wide-open space means I can always see hills on the horizon and the sky offers amazing sunrises and sunsets, not to mention the stars at night. What inspires you? I am constantly inspired by my students in our English language classroom at TAFE NSW. They come from all over the world, from Africa, South America and across many regions of Asia. Their journey and migration experience often involves separation from family, isolation, and the absence of things like familiar food and language. Their resilience, warmth and commitment to make new connections and create a new life is inspirational. What is your greatest achievement? I love being part of a team that excels in providing English language skills. We've worked hard at creating a program and classroom environment that results in our students learning English, as well as building friendships and learning about living and working in Australia. This means they develop a broad range of skills and choices for themselves and their families. What do you wish was embraced more widely by our region's women? One thing I have observed, through the life of a close friend, is a common experience particularly for women. She excels at work while providing foundational support to her family, sometimes at the cost of her own wellbeing. There are pulls in my friend's time and energy, with ageing parents and caring for grandchildren while holding up a career. I would love there to be a recognition of the ways women pivot in their focus from work to family. And not just recognition, but support systems for women at this stage of their life. What's something you're working on improving? As a teacher, I am always on the look out for ideas and material to use in my English lessons. Learning a language can be so much fun and I love to design activities that are useful and engaging. I laugh when everyone looks up at the classroom clock and says, 'Oh, it's lunchtime already!?' What's the best advice you've ever received? "If you haven't worn it in 12 months, give it away." Unfortunately, I rarely follow this advice. Regional NSW Recommendations Best business: Peel Picture Framing and Art Supplies in Bourke Street, Tamworth. Best place to eat: Le Pruneau on Bridge Street, Tamworth. Best event to attend: Fiesta La Peel, Tamworth Hidden gem: Quirindi for arts and crafts, silo art, and the Who'd a Thought It Lookout Most of us take for granted the ability to fluently communicate with the people around us, but what if you were only recently arrived in Australia with little or no English skills? That's where TAFE NSW Tamworth English language teacher Bronwyn Cantrill steps in to help. Briefly describe who you are and what you do? I am from Tamworth, born and bred. I work as a teacher of English to migrants and refugees at TAFE NSW. I support students from a variety of cultural backgrounds as they work to improve their English, enabling them to better navigate our local community and prepare for employment. What do you love about living in the New England North West? I love the natural environment this area has to offer. We have four distinct seasons, so we can enjoy a cosy fire in the winter but escape the heat with a swim in the summer. The autumn trees give incredible colours to the landscape, and in late spring, Tamworth is washed with purple from the jacaranda trees. The wide-open space means I can always see hills on the horizon and the sky offers amazing sunrises and sunsets, not to mention the stars at night. What inspires you? I am constantly inspired by my students in our English language classroom at TAFE NSW. They come from all over the world, from Africa, South America and across many regions of Asia. Their journey and migration experience often involves separation from family, isolation, and the absence of things like familiar food and language. Their resilience, warmth and commitment to make new connections and create a new life is inspirational. What is your greatest achievement? I love being part of a team that excels in providing English language skills. We've worked hard at creating a program and classroom environment that results in our students learning English, as well as building friendships and learning about living and working in Australia. This means they develop a broad range of skills and choices for themselves and their families. What do you wish was embraced more widely by our region's women? One thing I have observed, through the life of a close friend, is a common experience particularly for women. She excels at work while providing foundational support to her family, sometimes at the cost of her own wellbeing. There are pulls in my friend's time and energy, with ageing parents and caring for grandchildren while holding up a career. I would love there to be a recognition of the ways women pivot in their focus from work to family. And not just recognition, but support systems for women at this stage of their life. What's something you're working on improving? As a teacher, I am always on the look out for ideas and material to use in my English lessons. Learning a language can be so much fun and I love to design activities that are useful and engaging. I laugh when everyone looks up at the classroom clock and says, 'Oh, it's lunchtime already!?' What's the best advice you've ever received? "If you haven't worn it in 12 months, give it away." Unfortunately, I rarely follow this advice. Regional NSW Recommendations Best business: Peel Picture Framing and Art Supplies in Bourke Street, Tamworth. Best place to eat: Le Pruneau on Bridge Street, Tamworth. Best event to attend: Fiesta La Peel, Tamworth Hidden gem: Quirindi for arts and crafts, silo art, and the Who'd a Thought It Lookout
