Program boosts allied health students in schools

South Australia’s three leading universities have joined forces with the State Government to provide better opportunities for university students studying allied health roles to undertake practical work experience in the state’s schools.

The University of Adelaide, the University of South Australia and Flinders University signed a memorandum of intent (MOI) with the Department of Education to set up a placement program.

One of the aims of the placement program is to help allied health students identify a clear employment pathway into valuable roles in the public education system.

The MOI was signed at Forbes Primary School, Plympton on Thursday 2 February by Professor Peter Høj AC, Professor David Lloyd, Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of South Australia, Professor Colin Stirling President and Vice-Chancellor, Flinders University and the Minister for Education, Training and Skills, Hon Blair Boyer MP.

Deputy Premier Hon Dr Susan Close MP and Jayne Stinson MP, Member for Badcoe also attended the ceremony.

“The University of Adelaide is happy to sign this memorandum of intent that will give students the opportunity to undertake allied health placements in South Australian public schools and education,” said Professor Peter Høj AC, Vice-Chancellor and President, University of Adelaide.

“Placements are an integral part of learning – practical training gives students the opportunity to put learning into practice in real-world environments.

“We support the South Australian Government’s initiative which reaffirms the role that allied health professionals contribute to ensuring the health of our community as it will enable our students to contribute to the wellbeing of South Australian young people.”

“Placements are an integral part of learning – practical training gives students the opportunity to put learning into practice in real-world environments."Professor Peter Høj AC, Vice-Chancellor and President, University of Adelaide.

The placement program will also benefit schools, providing an easier direct pathway for university students to provide valuable assistance to allied health professionals working in the sector.

Year 5 pupils Sophia, Amelia and Nelson also attended the ceremony. Sophia and Amelia recently graduated from the University of Adelaide’s Children’s University.

Pathways for allied health university students to arrange work placements in government schools will be simplified in a bid to meet growing industry demands.

It’s expected that more than 50 University of Adelaide students will take up placements in the first year of the program.