Federation University's 23 diploma of nursing students commenced their studies and training in February at East Grampians Health Service's Nursing Education Student Training room in Ararat.

The students are taking part in the two-year program under the state government's free TAFE initiative.

East Grampians Health Service chief executive Andre Freeman said the program helps secure the workforce in the region.

"Having a course delivered in Ararat has given many people the opportunity to undertake studies in nursing who may not otherwise have been able to," he said.

"This includes young people precluded from training in metro areas due to the high cost of training and the associated living expenses, women returning to the workforce after a break raising children and having the opportunity to train in their own town, and people taking the opportunity to upskill through the Free TAFE initiative.

"Having the diploma of nursing course conducted onsite is in line with our philosophy of 'growing our own' workforce and will enable us to have a secure nursing workforce well into the future."

Twelve nurses are now working at East Grampians Health Service from the previous diploma of nursing cohort that graduated in June 2018.

Students will also undertake placements at East Grampians Health Service as well as throughout the Wimmera in the coming months.

While you're with us, you can now receive updates straight to your inbox each Friday morning from The Ararat Advertiser. To make sure you're up-to-date with all the news from across the Ararat shire, sign up here.