Four Bachelor of Accounting students from Charles Sturt University (CSU) at Port Macquarie are set to become the first to benefit from a new agreement between CSU's Faculty of Business and the Mid North Coast Local Health District (MNCLHD).
The students are about to begin work placements with the health district, building skills that will serve them well after graduation and provide a valuable resource for the MNCLHD's Financial Operations Unit.
CSU Faculty of Business Executive Dean, Professor Lesley White, said the placements would improve transitions from university to the labour market and strengthen links between CSU, employers and the community.
"We hope these placements, and others to follow, will enable the University to make a positive social contribution to our footprint communities," she said.
"The ultimate aim of workplace learning is to provide industry with graduates who are better equipped for the workplace, as well as allowing students the opportunity to further develop their employability, skills and knowledge.
"We expect our students to make a meaningful contribution to the businesses they undertake placements with, even as they broaden their skills."
MNCLHD Executive Director Financial Operations, Mr Geoff Vial, said the district had a keen interest in working with CSU.
"Over the next few years the staffing requirements in Port Macquarie will grow significantly as a direct result of the completion of the Expansion Project for Port Macquarie Base Hospital, and this includes accounting staff requirements," he said.
"MNCLHD's Financial Operations Unit is embarking on a work placement program for Charles Sturt University students which will achieve a mutual goal.
"The District has a need for specific work to be achieved, and the students need valuable workplace experience to put their studies into practice.
"The students will have the opportunity in this placement to complete routine operational functions conducted in the District Finance Unit, plus undertake specific short term projects aligned to their studies.
"This program will assist in keeping students within our community post completion of their studies, and assist MNCLHD in fulfilling our future employment needs."
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