Careerforce

Careerforce - the industry training organisation for community support services

Careerforce Community Support Services ITO administers the National Mental Health Support Workers (NMHSW) Training Grant. This provides financial assistance towards tuition fees for 450 students per year who meet the following eligibility criteria:

• Employed in a mental health service funded by the DHB/MoH, in a role relevant to mental health support work (paid or volunteer).
• Employer supportive of employee applying for the training.
• Accepted for enrolment by an NZQA accredited education provider in the National Certificate in Mental Health Support Work (Level 4).
• Have their fees not fully paid by another source.

Priority will be given to students who identify that they are:

• In financial need
• A mental health consumer/tangata whaiora and/or family member
• Committed to workforce development of Maori and Pacific Island mental health workers

The grant is only to be used for tuition fees and will provide financial assistance to students who meet all the eligibility criteria. For more information on this please visit www.cssito.org.nz or contact Barbara Halliday Manager Mental Health Support Workers Programme at CareerForce by phoning 0800 937 877 or email barbarah   "at" cssito.org.nz  

The National Diploma acknowledges the skills of those already in the workplace that work safely with consumers/tangata whaiora. The Diploma consists of 187 credits divided into 20 Unit Standards. Some standards in the National Certificate in Mental Health Support Work (level 4) are included in the National Diploma because they are essential competencies for mental health support workers or because they are recommended for entry to other standards in the qualification. Candidates who have completed the National Certificate will be awarded 55 credits towards the Diploma.