Image Credit: CFJC Today

By Ashley Legassic

TRAINED CAREGIVERS

TRU, NVIT among recipients of new funding to increase number of trained caregivers in the province

Oct 18, 2019 | 11:35 AM

KAMLOOPS — The province has announced new funding to go toward the training of qualified healthcare assistants in B.C.

Among post-secondary institutions receiving the funding, Thompson Rivers University’s Kamloops campus will receive $209,000 for 32 additional healthcare assistant seats, the Williams Lake campus will receive $155,000 for 18 additional seats, and the Nicola Valley Institute of Technology (NVIT) will receive $140,000 for 14 additional seats for its Merritt campus and $146,000 for 14 additional seats in its Ashcroft/Cache Creek campus.

In a news release, the province says it’s providing roughly $3.64 million over the next two years to create 418 new healthcare assistant seats in 14 post-secondary institutions throughout B.C.

“In long-term care, in the community and in acute care, we need more health care assistants. Ask anyone in need of care and you will hear stories of the value of the work of care aides and community health workers,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Health in the release. “This investment to train more health care assistants will help us meet our government’s goal of improving care standards and expanding options for seniors. It will help people get trained for some of the most important and in-demand jobs in our province, making sure British Columbians get the quality care they need and deserve. Four hundred and eighteen new seats in 14 post-secondary institutions will make a big difference.”

There are roughly 25,500 healthcare assistants employed by health authorities and other employers across the province. They provide support services for people living with disabilities and those living with acute or chronic illnesses, including seniors.

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“Expanding the number of health care assistant seats throughout the province brings education and health care close to home. Our government is committed to ensuring people receive the quality care they need when they need it most,” said Melanie Mark, Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Training in the news release. “Health care assistants play an important role in B.C.’s health-care system, and by expanding the number of seats in all regions of the province, we will ensure that people continue to benefit from their care.”

Training programs for the career are roughly six to 10 months long, and the province says the first of the new seats became available to post-secondary students this fall.