VICTORIA – Provincial funding of $600,000 will support 78 new health-care spaces at three Vancouver Island public post-secondary institutions to deliver much-needed training of healthcare professionals in the region. The institutions and health-education programs include:
- Camosun College
- North Island College (Comox Valley campus) funding of $133,371
- North Island College (Port Alberni campus) in partnership with Justice Institute of British Columbia funding of $24,651
- Vancouver Island University (Nanaimo campus) funding of $100,819
- Vancouver Island University (Parksville campus) funding of $95,327
One-time funding for short-duration health-care programs helps address the immediate needs of specific communities so that the supply of trained health-care professionals is aligned with demand. 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.
“VIU would like to recognize the government for providing funding to support valuable training in our community mental health worker program. There is increasing demand on Vancouver Island for front-line health workers with the skills to support mental health in our communities. With this funding from the government, VIU will be able to help fill that demand, and create meaningful and fulfilling career paths for our students,” said Ralph Nilson, VIU’s President.
The one-time funding, which is targeted at programs running for one year or less, was awarded after the institutions answered a call for proposals from public post-secondary institutions. It is in addition to any regular-funded health-care training spaces at the institutions.
