The students will graduate from three different national community health qualifications – CHC33015 Certificate III in Individual Support, CHC43015 Certificate IV in Ageing Support and CHC42015 Certificate IV in Community Services.

Community College-Northern Inland executive officer, Lynne Sheather, said all students did work experience through partnerships with Mackellar Care in Gunnedah, and Richardson House and the John Prior Multi-Purpose Service in Barraba.

“This truly is an example of organisations working together to provide skilled workers in a much needed area,” she said.

Ms Sheather said the number of students graduating was “evidence of the success of post school training” during a time when special meetings had been called to address Gunnedah’s “higher than average” school drop-out rate.

“We are super excited about this graduation as we feel we are doing something useful for the community by working with other organisations and training these students,” she said.

The Gunnedah branch of the Country Women’s Association will be catering for the graduation.