A new IRT initiative aims to introduce more young people into the aged care industry.

The IRT College’s Young@Heart Carers in Aged Care program is funded by the federal government and aims to bring young people into aged care while tackling the issue of skills shortages and high youth unemployment in the Illawarra.

15 young people recently graduated from the program.

Graduate Candice Cooper, from Mount Warrigal, hopes to study to become a registered nurse after completing the program.

"I decided to be part of Young@Heart so I could give back to the community," said Candice Cooper of Mount Warrigal. She hopes to become a registered nurse after completing the program.

"I also want to get back into the workforce and be a role model for my kids."

IRT chief executive Nieves Murray said programmes like this were critical given an aging population, an ageing workforce, rapid expansion of the industry and the low retention of young employees.

Graduates were presented with an IRT College pin and a certificate for completing the course.