Government is funding 15 health-care assistant spaces at the Nicola Valley Institute of Technology in Merritt (NVIT).

“NVIT is receiving $141,000 to satisfy demand for health-care assistants in the southern Interior,” said Advanced Education Minister Andrew Wilkinson after meeting with NVIT students benefiting from the new spaces. “This one-time funding helps to ensure that the supply of these health-care workers is aligned with demand for health services in the community.”

Public post-secondary institutions in British Columbia are helping address the needs of the health system by ensuring that students in the health-care professions have the skills and training they need to serve their communities well.

“I’m very pleased that NVIT will be training more health-care assistants in Merritt,” said Fraser-Nicola MLA Jackie Tegart. “I hope that after completing their training, students will continue on with their professional lives, serving the health-care needs of residents of the Nicola Valley.”

One-time funding for short-duration health-education programs helps address the immediate needs of specific communities so that the supply of trained health-care workers is aligned with demand.

“As B.C.’s Aboriginal public post-secondary institution, NVIT is committed to strengthening communities, one learner at a time,” said NVIT president Ken Tourand. “Our Health Care Assistant Program provides students with the skills and knowledge to provide quality care for our Elders, and through this announcement we are able to offer the program at our main campus in Merritt. We appreciate the support of the Province and its ongoing commitment to Aboriginal education in B.C.”

The one-time funding, which is targeted at programs running for one year or less, was awarded after NVIT answered a call for proposals from public post-secondary institutions. It is in addition to any regular-funded health-education spaces at the institute.

Health-care assistants provide 24-hour care and supervision in protective and supportive environments for people who have complex care needs. They work in a variety of settings including acute care, residential care, and home and community care including independent living and assisted living. The demand for health-care assistants is ever-increasing with the aging of the population and the continual growth of health-care services. There are over 50,000 health-care assistants registered with the BC Care Aide and Community Health Worker Registry.