Training the next generation of health and community service workers

TasTAFE Interim CEO Will McShane, Minister for Skills and Jobs Felix Ellis and TasTAFE Project Manager Michael Campi at the opening event at Alanvale Campus.

A $7.5 million redevelopment of A Block at TasTAFE’s Alanvale Campus has been completed, delivering a new Health Hub and taypani Learner Hub.

The new Health Hub is a specialised facility that will provide training in community health services. Located adjacent to existing nursing and individual support areas for training, TasTAFE Interim CEO Will McShane said synergies will be created across disciplines in the care and social service industries.

“Community services are part of the broader health care and social assistance industry, and our training will have a core focus on mental health, alcohol and other drugs, and youth work.

“TasTAFE is committed to providing responsive training matched to industry need, and the qualifications we offer will educate and prepare the next generation of health, community and individual support workers.

“We will also be designing and developing skill sets to support existing care and community service workers who are looking to upskill and reskill,” said Mr McShane.

In Tasmania, as of March 2025, approximately 46,600 people were employed in the Health Care and Social Assistance sector, encompassing aged care, disability services, education and care, social services and medical services.

The care economy serves as a cornerstone of Tasmania’s commitment to equitable healthcare and social welfare for all its residents. Not only is it the state’s largest employment sector, but it is also projected to grow significantly in the coming decades because of Tasmania’s ageing population and higher-than-average rates of individuals requiring care due to physical or mental disabilities.

“So not only are we educating Tasmania’s current and future workforce, but we are also helping to ease the strain on workforce recruitment and retention in Tasmania’s health and care sectors,” Mr McShane said.

The new Health Hub was officially opened by Minister for Skills and Jobs, Felix Ellis.

“The Hub will provide technology-supported and industry-aligned training, delivering on a key focus of the Tasmanian Skills Plan to support excellence in our health and care workforce.

“TasTAFE is training the next generation of health workers, with programs delivered at the hub co-designed with industry,” Mr Ellis said.

The redevelopment also includes a new taypani Learner Hub where learners can connect with client services, student supports, TasTAFE’s library, and online resources.

“Alanvale taypani is a welcoming space perfectly suited to learning, collaborating with others, or simply taking some quiet time to study, or to explore new technologies available in the Makerspace area,” said Mr McShane.

“Learners can borrow textbooks and a wide range of other learning materials; connect to our free wi-fi; or borrow a laptop for the day while on campus by using the laptop locker and their student ID card.”

Alanvale taypani is the second of 5 planned TasTAFE taypani Learner Hubs. The first taypani was opened in 2023 at Clarence Campus. Following the opening in Launceston, the next taypani space is planned for Burnie Campus, with construction due to commence in November this year and scheduled for completion in June 2026. The final 2 taypanis are planned for Devonport and Campbell Street campuses.

“We have received fantastic feedback from both our learners and staff on the benefits of having a more engaging, supportive and immersive on-campus experience for learners,” Mr McShane said.

Art installations by Tasmanian Aboriginal artist Caleb Nichols-Mansell adorn the redevelopment at Alanvale Campus. Funded by Arts Tasmania, the 3 art installations respond to the dual themes of community and connection to place, grounding the developed spaces in the stories, forms and flow of northern Lutruwita.

Scenes from the opening of the new taypani Learner Hub at Alanvale Campus – a welcoming space perfectly suited to learning and collaboration.