We are proud to announce our recognition as a Health Gateway to Industry School, strengthening and expanding the reach of our College’s successful MedDent program and creating new, meaningful pathways for students interested in health-related careers.
This new partnership formalises Varsity College’s commitment to connecting learning with real-world opportunities and responds to the growing demand for skilled workers across Queensland’s health sector.
Expanding on the success of MedDent
The MedDent Program at Varsity College has been designed to support students with an interest in medicine, dentistry and broader health careers. Through targeted learning experiences, students gain insight into university pathways, professional expectations and the realities of working in health-related fields.
MedDent students participate in a range of enrichment opportunities, including guest speakers, practical workshops, excursions and career-focused learning that supports informed subject selection and future planning. The program has helped students better understand the diversity of health careers and develop the skills, motivation and confidence needed to pursue these pathways.
Becoming a Health Gateway to Industry School allows us to build on this strong foundation and extend similar opportunities to a broader range of students across year levels.
What is the Health Gateway to Industry Schools Program?
The Health Gateway to Industry Schools Program is an initiative of the Department of Employment, Small Business and Training, delivered in partnership with CheckUP.
The program links schools directly with health industry partners to:
- Increase student knowledge and understanding of the wide range of roles available within the health workforce
- Improve access to learning and hands-on experiences within Queensland’s rapidly growing health industry
By connecting education and industry, the Health Gateway program helps students explore health careers beyond traditional roles, while supporting schools to deliver authentic, future-focused learning experiences.
What this means for Varsity College students
As a Health Gateway to Industry School, Varsity College students will benefit from a structured, staged approach to career awareness and engagement:
Years 7–8 | Inform
Students begin learning about the health industry and the many roles available beyond doctors and nurses. Experiences may include information sessions, demonstrations and presentations delivered by health educators and clinicians.
Years 9–10 | Engage
Students deepen their understanding of health careers, with a focus on allied health and supporting roles such as pathology, pharmacy, dental assisting, sterilisation services and health-related trades. Career pathways, including vocational education and training (VET), are introduced to support informed subject and pathway planning.
Years 11–12 | Involve
Senior students gain increased access to industry experiences through structured workplace learning, traineeships (where available) and continued guidance on both VET and tertiary pathways.
Across all year levels, students will also have access to online resources, career events and targeted information sessions that promote awareness of health career possibilities and tertiary study options.
Professional learning for staff
The Health Gateway program also supports school staff through professional development opportunities. This includes training sessions, workshops and webinars for VET officers and teaching staff, as well as site visits and access to digital resources designed to enhance student engagement in health-related learning.
Varsity College looks forward to working closely with industry and tertiary partners to expand learning opportunities for students and continue building clear, supported pathways into health careers. Becoming a Health Gateway to Industry School marks an exciting next step in preparing students for the future and supporting Queensland’s growing health workforce.
