Industry gives students careers a healthy start

For Gordon remedial massage students, the experience of a busy clinic to hone their skills is vital to their ongoing training. The Gordon’s network of industry connections provides these opportunities, enabling students to confidently start their career.

Local industry has long partnered with The Gordon to provide opportunities for students to gain real hands-on experience, including Jan Juc-Torquay Chiropractic and Sports Clinic. The Clinic is a health hub for alternative medicine, specialising in soft tissue injuries, skeletal and muscle pain, common ailments such as colds, gut health and general well-being.

Owner and Chiropractor, Dr Peter Smith stated, "There is nothing better than being able to support the local TAFE. We know how important it is for The Gordon's Diploma of Remedial Massage students to get as much hands-on experience as they can. By working with us in a multi-modality clinic, they gain the complete experience of working in a busy clinic with different clients presenting with a range of issues. 

“We welcome students for observation who are well supervised by experienced remedial therapists and practitioners. We enjoy listening to their feedback and answering their questions, and see the importance of passing on our years of knowledge while nurturing their enthusiasm. We also continue to employ graduate therapists, who work alongside me, as combining massage therapy with spinal alignment has significant longstanding health benefits for the patient." 

Providing work placement for students from The Gordon's remedial massage program area, where feedback gained from professional practitioners is highly valuable to the students learning journey, students are able to adapt their practical learnings from the simulated clinic at The Gordon, where they gain sound knowledge of anatomy and physiology.

Gordon student Sienna Marriot Webb completed a practical work placement at the Clinic recently, "I love my course. We are learning so much and being able to put what we have learnt into practice with Pete and his team has really cemented what we are learning in the classroom. With so much of the course dedicated to the hands-on, practical application of our learning, I am confident my massage skills and ability to respond to a client's issues continue to grow."

Building industry connections has been highly beneficial for students as practices were there to support students learning needs when lockdowns restricted attendance at on-campus classes. 

“Students bring great energy to the clinic, and we are confident they will be well on their way to being excellent remedial therapists at the end of the course", shared Dr Smith.

The Diploma of Remedial Massage course allows students to attain memberships to massage associations and receive a provider number, which enables them to practice as remedial therapists and allow clients to claim rebates through their health care insurer. 

"I look forward to completing my course and working with practitioners like Pete and his team in the future", Sienna concluded.

For more information on the Diploma of Remedial Massage, visit thegordon.edu.au.