CRESTON/INVERMERE/TRAIL/CASTLEGAR - Future health professionals in the East and West Kootenay regions will benefit from additional student spaces at College of the Rockies, Selkirk College and the Justice Institute of British Columbia to train health-care professionals to provide the high-quality health care B.C. families deserve.

The B.C. government is providing $236,000 in one-time funding to College of the Rockies for 16 student spaces at the Creston campus and 16 student spaces at the Invermere campus in the health care assistant program for 2012-13. Health care assistant graduates provide front-line care in a variety of institutional and community settings, including both home support agencies and residential care facilities.

Selkirk College will receive $176,500 in one-time funding for 18 student spaces at the Trail (and West Kootenay) campus in the health care assistant program, also for 2012-13. In addition, part of this funding will allow for up to 24 nursing students to take an inter-professional practice education course focusing on leadership and research to promote the health of patients, and explore emerging trends and health issues nationally and internationally.

Additionally, the B.C. government is providing $138,400 in one-time funding to the Justice Institute of B.C. for 15 part-time student spaces to be offered in Trail for 2012-13. These seats will support the BC Ambulance Service's paramedic recruitment and staffing needs.

This funding is part of an almost $2.4 million investment to support an additional 261 students in health-care programs at nine colleges, universities and institutions in the province.

One-time funding to improve access to health-education programs helps to meet immediate and projected employment needs in the health-care field throughout the province. B.C.'s post-secondary system is helping to provide faster, safer and better health care for individuals and families in British Columbia by ensuring students in the health-care professions have the skills and training they need to succeed in the future.

Quotes:

Bill Bennett, MLA for Kootenay East -

"First -response health care is vital to all communities. What we're doing here is identifying present and future employment needs while making our region safer for everyone. This is good for the studying individuals, it's good for the economy, and it gives us some piece of mind. It's a great funding announcement for everyone."

Nicholas Rubidge, president, College of the Rockies -

"We are appreciative of the government's continuing confidence in, and support of College of the Rockies and the important role we play in the training and skill development needs of our region through our seven campuses."

Angus Graeme, president, Selkirk College -

"We appreciate government's investment in developing our regional health-care workforce through the funding of health care assistant seats and our innovative inter-professional practice program for nurses and other professionals. Selkirk College is committed to supporting our employers to meet their workforce needs, and the health sector is a critical partner in this work."

Jack Mc Gee, president, Justice Institute of British Columbia -

"JIBC has a mandate to provide training for justice and public safety professionals across the province. The additional funding provided for this program by the Ministry of Advanced Education will help to fulfil our mandate and ensure that students have access to the education and training that they need, closer to home."

Learn More:

To learn more about the College of the Rockies, visit: http://www.cotr.bc.ca/

To learn more about Selkirk College, visit: http://www.selkirk.ca/

To learn more about the Justice Institute of British Columbia, visit: http://www.jibc.ca/

Contact:

Dan Gilmore
Communications Manager
Ministry of Advanced Education
250 952-6400