Written by BERNICE TRICK
Citizen staff
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Friday, 25 July 2008 |
A critical need for care aids and home support workers to care for B.C.'s elderly has prompted a province-wide campaign to increase numbers of trainees for the numerous positions that need to be filled.
With more than 1,500 qualified graduates needed immediately to staff new and existing long-term care and assisted living beds as well as home care clients, a $160,000 B.C. Cares Campaign is being launched to attract new students to the continuing care sector.
The marketing and awareness campaign is a partnership of B.C. ministries, health authorities and 20 post-secondary institutions across B.C.
In the North, participants include College of New Caledonia and Northern Lights, Northwest Community and Sprott Shaw colleges.
With B.C.'s fast growing senior population, more care workers are needed to provide home support and residential care, and support the government's commitment to complete 5,000 new long-term beds and assisted living units by the end of 2008, said Health Minister George Abbot.
To sweeten the pot, a student loan forgiveness program is being offered, which can offset educational costs by as much as $2,500, said Advanced Education Minister Murray Coell.
The campaign is designed to respond quickly to address a serious need, said Christine Nidd, BC Care Providers board chair.
"Seniors 85 and older are the fastest growing segment of B.C.'s population" and there's no sign of diminishing even after the province completes construction of the 5,000 beds, she said.
"We are preparing for a silver tsunami, meaning our staffing needs will only increase year after year."
Craig Herbert, a dean at Northern Lights in Dawson Creek, said "We need to get the message out that there has never been a better time to start your career in health care. Graduates of the programs who study for about one year, sometimes less, will have their pick of jobs in a number of service environments, and can advance quite quickly to the nursing profession."
Pat Covington, CNC dean of health sciences, added that colleges "work closely with employers to place graduates."
"There's no doubt that finding good qualified people to fill the care positions is one of their biggest challenges."
The training courses are offered at both public and private colleges in B.C., and graduates earn between $17 and $21 an hour. For more information visit the web site at www.bccares.ca
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Last Updated ( Sunday, 07 September 2008 )
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