As many as 28 new community mental health workers trained at the Cowichan Campus of Vancouver Island University (VIU) will be able to access their education at reduced tuition later this year.

The Ministry of Advanced Education is providing one-time funding of $106,000 for the six-month long community mental health worker certificate program.

“The B.C. government is targeting funding to address the health care needs of communities throughout British Columbia, including Duncan,” said Advanced Education Minister Andrew Wilkinson. “Training as a community mental health worker can lead to a meaningful and fulfilling career path.”

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

“There is increasing demand on Vancouver Island for front-line health workers with the skills to support mental health in our communities,” said Parksville-Qualicum MLA Michelle Stilwell. “VIU will be able to help meet that demand with $106,000 in one-time funding.”

The one-time funding was awarded after institutions answered a call for proposals. It is in addition to any regular-funded health-care training spaces at the institution.

“The community mental health worker program is a direct result of the expressed needs of the community,” said Dr. Ralph Nilson, president and vice-chancellor at Vancouver Island University. “That’s why it’s important we at VIU are responsive in providing this program, and able to offer quality education and training to as many people as possible.”

“With this grant we are able to halve the tuition, and give access to students who would otherwise face a barrier to their further education,” said Dr. Carol Stuart, dean of health sciences at Vancouver Island University. “Reducing barriers is especially important in the Cowichan Valley and communities north of the Malahat.”

The start date for program delivery is September 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.