A programme currently being run by the Southern District Health Board requires outside funding amounting to $40,000. The programme has been designed by the Health Board to encourage students studying in schools to pursue a career in healthcare.

The initiative has been named as the Incubator Programme and had begun in Southland in the year 2009, with one school being inducted in the scheme initially. However, following the success it has achieved in the previous year, the initiative has been forwarded to four schools. The funding for the scheme is being pooled in by charities in Southland.

While informing the advisory committee of hospitals in Southland, the Chief Operating Officer of the Incubator Programme, Lexie O’Shea stated that the scheme was working better than expected and it was also successful in providing year 13 students with the experience of working in health services. The initiative has been running in the country since 2007, though in separate places.

The programme also involved the education of children in classrooms about health careers and how exciting they can be. Apart from increasing the enthusiasm in children, the scheme was successful in providing health education to the children as well.

She further commended the employees from the health services for imparting their knowledge in classes. The information provided by healthcare providers did wonders in increasing enthusiasm among children.