In response to local demand, College of the Rockies’ Fernie campus is accepting applications for the Health Care Assistant program for fall 2020.
Health Care Assistant (HCA) is a 27-week program that provides students with the knowledge, skills, and abilities they need to provide personal care to individuals in residential care as well as in community settings like home support and assisted living. The program involves both in-class theory and a practicum placement in the field.
“With our aging population, there is a high demand for trained Health Care Assistants in our region,” said Heather Hepworth, College of the Rockies’ Dean of Health and Human Services. “Our graduates will be well prepared to help meet that demand.”
According to the WorkBC website, a strong demand for care aides is contributing to higher salaries and increased employment opportunities. As the provincial government is increasing the number of long-term care beds available in BC, more employment opportunities are expected. WorkBC forecasts close to 900 job openings for Health Care Assistants in the Kootenay region alone. These positions will result from replacement of retiring workers as well as new job openings due to economic growth.
“Health Care Assistants are a vital part of Golden Life’s mission to enable every resident to live their best life,” said Joyce Turner, East Kootenay Regional Manager, Golden Life Management. “Our Health Care Assistant’s listen and learn from our residents and families, care for and entertain and empower them through an enriching environment. There is a need for Health Care Assistants throughout the Elk Valley, now is the time to join this in-demand and highly rewarding field.”
The HCA program is offered annually at the Cranbrook campus and rotates between the College’s regional campuses on a yearly basis. The Fernie program is part of the annual rotation and is now accepting applications for the fall 2020 program with 18 spots available.
For more information on the Health Care Assistant program at the Fernie campus, contact Joanne Maclean at 250-423-4691 ext. 5103 or email jmaclean@cotr.bc.ca
About College of the Rockies
For more than 40 years, College of the Rockies has provided post-secondary education that meets the needs and aspirations of the people, industry and businesses of our region. Each year, we welcome more than 10,000 full-time and part-time students into a full range of programs, including: skilled trades, university studies, adult upgrading, early childhood education, health and human services, business, office administration, tourism, hospitality, recreation, fire services, continuing education and contract training. Through smaller class sizes, highly-personalized instruction and dedicated support services, our students are primed to succeed in the job market, or in the next stage of their academic journey.
Contact:
Heather Jackson
Manager, Communications and Marketing
College of the Rockies
250-489-8258
jackson@cotr.bc.ca
Anita Palmer
Campus Manager, Fernie
College of the Rockies
250-423-4691
apalmer@cotr.bc.ca