A new $7.5 million training facility has opened in Launceston to help tackle workforce shortages in Tasmania’s health and community services sector, which employs almost 47,000 people across the state.
The Health Hub, located at TasTAFE’s Alanvale campus, will train workers in mental health, alcohol and other drugs and youth work – areas under growing pressure as demand for services increases.
The hub is part of a wider campus redevelopment that also includes a new learner hub, giving students access to client services, student support, the library and online resources in one place.
TasTAFE interim CEO Will McShane said the Health Hub had been strategically positioned next to existing nursing and individual support training areas to encourage collaboration.
“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,” he said.
“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, nursing and individual support workers.”
Health care and social assistance is Tasmania’s largest employment sector, with around 46,600 people working across aged care, disability services, education and care, social services and medical fields.
The workforce is expected to grow significantly as the state’s population ages and demand rises for physical and mental health support.
Mr McShane said TasTAFE was also developing programs to help existing workers upskill or retrain.
“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,” he said.
Skills and Jobs Minister Felix Ellis, who officially opened the hub on Tuesday, said it would deliver technology-supported, industry-aligned training.
“TasTAFE is training the next generation of health workers, with programs delivered at the hub co-designed with industry,” Mr Ellis said.
The Alanvale facility is the second of five hubs planned across Tasmania, with the next due to open in Burnie by mid-2026.
