B.C. announces $4.4M for post secondary health-care training, education

B.C. announces $4.4M for post secondary health-care training, education
Camosun College
Camosun College's Interurban campus. Camosun is one of two colleges on Vancouver Island receiving funding for health-care profession training.

The B.C. government has announced $4.4 million for post-secondary education and training related to health-care professions, with some of the funding going toward two Vancouver Island colleges.

“For years, British Columbians have been calling for more trained health professionals in their communities,” Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Training Melanie Mark said.

“We heard that call to action and we’re investing in valuable, in-demand training in every corner of the province so that students preparing for careers in health care, or health professionals upgrading their skills, are able to provide quality health care when and where it is needed. It is because of the work of these unsung heroes in health care that we are at a place to safely build back the best B.C.”

The funding is in addition to the annual funding of more than $125 million for health education programs around B.C. The programs include training for health-care assistants, anesthesia assistants, mental health and community support workers and programs for nurses.

“We are committed to training, recruiting and hiring a new generation of health-care professionals at all levels, including respiratory therapists and critical care nurses, who are vital members of the health-care team,” Minister of Health Adrian Dix said.

“Respiratory therapists and nurses working with patients during the COVID-19 pandemic have a high-risk role because of their hands-on work treating patients with breathing difficulties and I thank them for all they do.”

Vancouver Community College will receive $750,000 to expand its bridging program aimed at licensed practical nurses who choose to continue their education by completing a bachelor of science in nursing degree.

In addition, the  British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) received funding of $227,000 to enable registered nurses working in critical care settings to train in advanced skills.

Other B.C. post-secondary institutions that received additional funding to support health-related programs include:

These latest investments bring the total new funding for health education to approximately $46 million since 2017, the government said.

 

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