Applications for the new round of the Earn and Learn Internship program for Victorian students studying a Certificate IV in Mental Health or Diploma of Mental Health are opening on Wednesday 1 May 2024.
The Earn and Learn Internship program is part of a Victorian government initiative that is helping to develop and grow the state’s mental health workforce.
An Earn and Learn Intern will undertake a paid internship at one of a range of Mind services, receive tailored mentoring from the program lead, a team leader and an allocated staff mentor, and be part of a collaborative community of practice to share ideas and engage with other interns.
Mind has 14 Earn and Learn internships available for students to experience working in a range of service settings, including adult and youth Prevention and Recovery Care centres, Housing with support residences, Youth Residential Rehabilitation, Mental Health and Wellbeing Locals and headspace centres.
Ellen, a current Earn and Learn Intern at Mind, said the program has reaffirmed her desire to pursue a career in mental health.
“As soon as I walked through the door of the Housing with support service I was assigned to I felt welcomed and accepted. I felt more supported professionally and mentally than I have at any other workplace before, which allowed me to work with confidence,” she said.
“I have never felt more confident in my career path and the options that will arise going forward. I believe that this opportunity has allowed me to develop my skills in a more detailed and confident manner, especially with the help of staff feedback and guidance to help me learn in a hands-on environment.”
Mind CEO Gill Callister said initiatives like the Earn and Learn and Peer Cadet programs were accelerating the development of the mental health workforce in Victoria.