BC students have more opportunities to train for careers as health-care professionals due to investments in post-secondary education and training, according to a media release from BC Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills and Training.
“For years, British Columbians have been calling for more trained health professionals in their communities,” stated advanced education, skills and training minister Melanie Mark. “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 BC.”
More than $4.4 million is going toward health profession-related education and training at provincial post-secondary institutions, in addition to annual funding of more than $125 million for health education programs around BC.
Programs include training for health-care assistants, anesthesia assistants, mental health and community support workers and programs for nurses.
The investments allow the government to respond to local and emerging needs and are in addition to ongoing support of health-care education programs at post-secondary institutions throughout BC, according to the release.
Existing health professionals can also enhance their skills due to the funding. Registered nurses and other health professionals can access training modules through British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) and respiratory therapists can access one-on-one clinical refreshers.
“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,” stated minister of health Adrian Dix. “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.”
BC post-secondary institutions that received additional funding to support health-related programs include: BCIT; Camosun College; Coast Mountain College; College of New Caledonia; North Island College; Nicola Valley Institute of Technology; Okanagan College; Thompson Rivers University; and Vancouver Community College
