Office of the Premier
The provincial government is targeting $1.5 million to fund 183 new health-education spaces at nine public post-secondary institutions to meet the demand for the delivery of health care in communities throughout British Columbia.
“Students can use this $1.5 million in targeted funding to train for rewarding health-care jobs that are needed in their local community, and support the health-care needs of their friends, families and neighbours,” said Advanced Education Minister Andrew Wilkinson.
Public post-secondary institutions in B.C. are helping address the needs of the health system by making sure that students in the health-care professions have the skills and training they need to serve their communities well. Funding this year will support training for community health-promotion workers for Aboriginal communities, community mental-health workers, emergency medical responders and health-care assistants.
“British Columbians expect high-quality health care in the communities that they call home,” said Health Minister Terry Lake. “Training health-care workers in their local communities is good for families, workers and patients alike.”
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 professionals is aligned with demand.
The Province has provided one-time funding for additional education spaces in health programs annually since 2008, and funding to date totals $14.8 million, which has created more than 1,800 student spaces.
A backgrounder follows.
