The Mental Health Industry Connector (MHIC) Project ran from December 2023 to January 2025, delivered by QAMH with funding from Jobs Queensland through the Queensland Care Consortium.

Developed in response to ongoing workforce challenges, the project aimed to better align training with industry needs by strengthening the connection between TAFE Queensland and the Community Mental Health and Wellbeing sector. Key issues included limited placement opportunities, low completion rates in the Certificate IV in Mental Health (CHC43315), and a mismatch between course content and the realities of sector work.

In partnership with TAFE Queensland’s Mooloolaba and South Bank campuses, QAMH piloted a series of initiatives to build student understanding of the sector, improve workforce readiness, and expand access to meaningful vocational placements.

Three Pillars of Delivery

1. Workforce Readiness Resources

• Welcome to the Sector Webinar: A flexible, pre-recorded introduction to career pathways, required skills, and sector expectations.
• Making a Difference Video: Industry representatives shared recruitment advice and reflections on starting out in the sector.
• Digital Resource Library: A curated collection of tools, meeting recordings, and guides to support students throughout their learning journey.

2. Industry Connections Meetings

• Eight interactive sessions connected 97 Certificate IV students with 12 guest speakers from community mental health and wellbeing organisations.
• Provided direct access to sector professionals, offering real-world insights into workforce expectations, career pathways, and opportunities.

3. Member Engagement & Vocational Placements

• Actively connected 24 organisations with TAFE Queensland to support placements, deliver guest lectures, and provide curriculum input.
• Placement barriers were reduced through outreach, forums, and tailored resources (including a Vocational Placement Fact Sheet).

Impact

The MHIC Project strengthened the pathway from training to employment by:

• Improving sector understanding: Students gained foundational knowledge, confidence, and clarity about career pathways.
• Building stronger industry connections: Structured opportunities to engage directly with employers expanded networks and opened placement opportunities.
• Enhancing employability: Curated resources and updates supported smoother transitions from study to work.
• Expanding placement capacity: New partnerships with Community Mental Health and Wellbeing Organisations grew opportunities for hands-on learning.

The project created a replicable three-pillar model that strengthens learning, industry engagement, and workforce readiness across regions. Its success has already seen TAFE Queensland embed quarterly Industry Connections Meetings statewide from 2025 and integrate the Digital Resource Library into Certificate IV student induction and the learning management system. Building on this foundation, QAMH will continue to use the blueprint to advocate for scalable placement solutions, including paid traineeships, and for the alignment of the Certificate IV with workforce capability standards through the HumanAbility review.

Get Involved
If your organisation is interested in connecting with TAFE Queensland to host student placements or provide a guest speaker, please complete this form: https://www.qamh.org.au/connecting-industry/