The University of British Columbia (UBC) in partnership with the University of Victoria (UVic) has expanded two allied health profession programs, a master of physical therapy and a master of science in speech-language pathology, to Vancouver Island.

“Well-trained allied health professionals are essential to our health-care system and supporting B.C.’s health workforce is one of government’s highest priorities,” said Jessie Sunner, Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills. “By offering this hands-on training on Vancouver Island, these future allied health professionals are more likely to secure jobs in their home communities and build networks of care from Victoria to Port Hardy.”

The two programs launched at UVic’s Vancouver Island Technology Park (VITP) in September 2024 and include seats for 20 master of physical therapy students and eight master of science in speech-language pathology students annually. First- and second-year cohorts start classes this month, for a total of 56 students participating in the program this school year.

The Province provided $15 million to lease, renovate and equip space at VITP for the two programs. As well, the Province supplied $9.1 million for startup and operating costs. Overall, government provides more than $250 million annually in targeted funding for health-education programs to public post-secondary institutions throughout B.C.

“Highly trained allied health professionals contribute greatly to our team-based health-care system, and these new programs will ensure we have more of them right here on Vancouver Island,” said Josie Osborne, Minister of Health. “Investing in the next generation of physiotherapists and speech-language pathologists means better support for families, ensuring that people of all ages can live healthier, more independent lives.”

Allied health professionals, such as speech-language pathologists and physiotherapists, ease the pressure on other critical medical services by supporting people to develop independence, communicate more effectively, recover from injury, improve or rebuild physical ability, prevent new or further injury, and ultimately navigate through different environments with freedom. Both professions also work extensively within the K-12 school system, helping children and youth to navigate or overcome challenges at a young age.

“This is an important step forward in UBC’s efforts to expand health-professions training across the province made possible, thanks to our partners and a dedicated community of clinical faculty,” said Dr. Mieke Koehoorn, dean pro tem, faculty of medicine and interim vice-president of health, UBC. “By creating more opportunities for students to train closer to home in this state-of-the-art facility and through local clinical placements, we’re strengthening the network of health professionals on the Island to better serve families and communities.”

Both professions are considered high-opportunity occupations. B.C.’s 2024 Labour Market Outlook forecasted 720 job openings for speech-language pathologists and audiologists in B.C. over the next 10 years. With 140 of those openings expected in the Vancouver Island and Coastal region, this program expansion could potentially fill more than half the job openings in that region over the next decade. For physiotherapists, the Labour Market Outlook forecasted 2,080 job openings in B.C. over the next 10 years, with 410 located in the Vancouver Island and Coastal region, which means that as many as 200 of those job openings could be filled by graduates from this program expansion.

This collaborative work between government, UBC and UVic to offer this programming on Vancouver Island will result in more in-demand allied health professionals graduating in the region, which will improve access to care closer to where people need it.

Quotes:

Diana Gibson, MLA for Oak Bay-Gordon Head –

“We’re providing more students with the training they need to succeed in in-demand jobs in allied health care. This means more professionals will soon graduate with the skills to provide top-notch care to British Columbians.”

Elizabeth Croft, vice-president, academic and provost, UVic –

“UVic is proud to partner with UBC, Island Health and the Province of British Columbia to expand training opportunities in high-demand health-care professions here in Victoria. For more than 20 years, UVic has partnered to deliver UBC’s Island Medical Program, and we are thrilled to partner on speech-language pathology and physical therapy as well. Through collaboration and programming, UVic is contributing to the future of health education and innovation on Vancouver Island, while ensuring communities across B.C. have access to the care they need.”

Maddie Naswell, second-year speech-language pathology student, UBC –

“I am incredibly grateful to be a part of UBC's first distributed program in speech-language pathology on Vancouver Island. With the support of our instructors, clinical educators and peers, we are building the skills and confidence to meet the needs of our communities and shape the future of speech and language services on the Island. I am honoured to learn and grow in a place I have always called home.”

Abby Goldschmid, second-year physical therapy student, UBC –

“I feel incredibly fortunate to study physical therapy in Victoria, where it truly feels like everyone, from faculty to local clinicians, is invested in helping us succeed as future health-care professionals. Being part of such a supportive and passionate physical therapy community has been inspiring, and I’m excited to grow within this profession and give back to the community that has helped shape me.”

Quick Facts:

• Physiotherapists and speech-language pathologists are part of B.C.’s allied health workforce.
• Physiotherapists plan and put treatment programs in place for people to maintain, improve or rebuild physical ability, ease pain and prevent physical problems.
• Speech-language pathologists assist people who have challenges with speech, fluency, language, voice and swallowing.

Learn More:

To learn more about UBC’s master of physical therapy offered in Victoria, visit: https://physicaltherapy.med.ubc.ca/prospective-students-2/mpt-admissions/master-of-physical-therapy-victoria/

To learn more about UBC’s master of speech-language pathology offered in Victoria, visit: https://audiospeech.ubc.ca/prospective-students/msc-program/speech-language-pathology/new-slp-island-cohort/

To learn more about UVic’s Vancouver Island Technology Park, visit: https://vitp.ca/