Ten new health care assistant spaces are being added in Fort Nelson and Fort St. John to meet the demand for the delivery of health care in the community.

One-time funding of $70,000 from the Ministry of Advanced Education for the short-duration health care assistant program in Fort Nelson and Fort St. John will address the immediate needs so the supply of trained health-care professionals is aligned with demand.

“There is a growing need for health care professionals in north east communities,” said Peace River North MLA Pat Pimm on behalf of Advanced Education Minister Andrew Wilkinson. “With an aging population that is also growing, health care assistants will continue to play an important role in supporting the health needs of friends, families and neighbours in our region.”

Health care assistant graduates are in high demand throughout the province. Health care assistants are front-line care-givers who can work in both community and facility settings. Focusing on the elderly and persons with disabilities, health care assistants provide personal care that promotes and maintains the physical, psychological and social well-being of clients.

Northern Lights College is helping to 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.

“There is a consistent demand for health care assistants within the Peace Region,” said Bryn Kulmatycki, NLC president and CEO. “I am pleased that this funding will help Northern Lights train exceptionally prepared, job ready graduates from our health care assistant program who are ready to serve in our local communities.”

The scheduled start date for the new 27-week long program in Fort Nelson and Fort St. John is May 2016.

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.