Government funding for new health education spaces at seven public colleges and universities to support students and B.C.’s health sector was announced today at Thompson Rivers University.

One-time funding of $1.5 million will create an additional 188 student spaces in short-term health education programs, including mental health and addictions and health-care assistant training, at public colleges and universities throughout B.C.

The funding, which is targeted at health programs running for one year or less, was awarded after public post-secondary institutions answered a call for proposals.

One-time funding for short-term health education programs addresses the immediate needs of specific communities that do not have sufficient student and employer demand to support a program on a long-term ongoing basis. B.C.’s post-secondary institutions are helping address the needs of the health-care system by ensuring that students in the health-care professions have the skills and training they need to serve their communities effectively.

The government has been funding short-term health education programs annually since 2008. Total funding is over $13 million, which has created 1,647 spaces.

In addition to $356,000 in one-time funding for 43 seats in its health-care assistant program, Thompson Rivers University also received $100,000 to support its respiratory therapy program from the Provincial Health Services Authority.

Quotes:

Advanced Education Minister Amrik Virk -

“As B.C.’s population ages, the demand for a wide variety of health-care services will continue to grow. This targeted funding will help us deliver education that aligns with sector demands and also meets the health-care needs of British Columbians.”

Health Minister Terry Lake -

“Thompson Rivers University and other institutions throughout B.C. will be able to enhance support for the delivery of front-line care to patients. This is a good example of how government is targeting funding to support health-care for British Columbians.”

Kamloops-South Thompson MLA Todd Stone -

“B.C.’s job market is expanding, so it makes sense to prepare workers with the skills they need for the jobs of today and tomorrow. Labour market forecasts show there is a growing need for workers in the health sector - this funding will help our region’s students train for those in-demand jobs.”

Thompson Rivers University president and vice-chancellor Alan Shaver -

“We appreciate the B.C. government's support for more student spaces. At TRU it will go directly to create more seats in our Health Care Assistant Program, one tangible way for TRU to not only help create employment opportunities but to provide the much needed influx of health-care workers our healthcare system needs.”

A backgrounder follows.

Media Contacts:

Stacey McGaghey Jones
Ministry of Advanced Education
Government Communications and Public Engagement
250 952-6400

BACKGROUNDER

More health education spaces for students

Seven public colleges and universities will receive a total of $1.5 million in 2014-15 to support the delivery of health care assistant and community mental health worker programs.

College of New Caledonia
Location: Quesnel and Vanderhoof
Program: Health-care assistant (34 spaces)

Nicola Valley Institute of Technology
Location: Merritt
Program: Health-care assistant (15 spaces)

North Island College
Location: Mount Waddington and Comox
Program: Health-care assistant (20 spaces)

Thompson Rivers University
Location: Chase and Kamloops
Program: Health-care assistant (43 spaces)

Vancouver Island University
Location: Nanaimo
Program: Community mental health worker (12 spaces)

Camosun College
Location: Victoria
Program: Part-time health-care assistant (32 spaces)

Kwantlen Polytechnic University
Location: Langley
Program: Health-care assistant (32 spaces)

Media Contacts:

Stacey McGaghey Jones
Ministry of Advanced Education
Government Communications and Public Engagement
250 952-6400