Province invests to expand number of healthcare assistants to support seniors

Province invests to expand number of healthcare assistants to support seniors
File Photo
The Province of B.C. has announced a multi-million dollar investment to help produce more healthcare assistants to support seniors.

The Province of B.C. has announced a multi-million dollar investment to help produce more healthcare assistants to support seniors.

According to the provincial government, $8.4 million will be allocated towards education and training programs, enabling more people to train for the position, which is in high demand.

“We’re moving forward with our plan to expand the number of health-care assistants working in B.C. to strengthen the level of care for people in long-term care homes and assisted-living residences,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Health. “The Health Career Access Program is underway and is already helping train workers for some of the most important jobs in B.C.”

The Province’s investment will create 600 new training seats for healthcare assistants at public post-secondary institutions as part of the Health Career Access Program, according to a release.

The goal of the investment is to help meet the demand for healthcare assistants in long-term care and assisted-living facilities.

Participants of the Health Career Access Program will be paid while they complete coursework and work to become healthcare assistants.

The government is also offering a monetary recruitment incentive for students who are currently completing a recognized healthcare assistant program. The Province says that if these students choose to take employment in the long-term care or assisted-living sector and commit to a 12-month return-of-service, they will be eligible for a $5,000 incentive.

“Government is investing in relevant programs to enable people impacted by COVID-19 to upskill or reskill so they can return to work or advance their careers,” said Anne Kang, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Training. “This funding for health-care assistant programs supports training for highly valued and respected workers who provide important daily care for our seniors in long-term care and assisted-living facilities.”

Programs are already underway at public post-secondary institutions throughout the province, and more are expected to start early this year.

This investment in front-line health care is part of StrongerBC: BC’s Economic Recovery Plan.

The government says that targeted investments will help create opportunities through short-term training for in-demand jobs, Indigenous community-based skills training and education, targeted training for health and human services jobs, as well as a new funding stream for micro-credentials.

Healthcare support workers are supervised by nurses or other regulated health-care professionals and provide a variety of non-clinical, non-direct care supports to patients and residents.

Graham CoxGraham Cox

Recent Stories

Send us your news tips and videos!