NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release 2010ALMD0032-000794 June 30, 2010

Ministry of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development

 

HEALTH EDUCATION ACCESS IMPROVES FOR VICTORIA STUDENTS

 

VICTORIA –The Province is investing $726,693 at Camosun College to train 96 practical nurses and health care assistants, announced Ida Chong, MLA for Oak Bay-Gordon Head and Murray Coell, MLA for Saanich North and the Islands.

 

“We know if we train health care workers in Victoria, once they graduate they are more likely to remain in Victoria to work and live,” said Chong. “The investment now will help ensure we have the health care workers we need for the future.”

 

“I am pleased to see this health education funding going to Camosun College as it will educate the health care workers we need for the hospitals and other health care facilities in our region,” said Coell. “Government support of programs like this means we will have trained health care professionals who can deliver the quality of care Vancouver Islanders deserve.”

 

This one-time funding will support the expanded delivery of three health care programs at Camosun College in 2010-11. Practical nursing graduates will provide nursing care in partnership with other health care professionals in acute care, extended care, intermediate care and community settings. Health care assistant graduates will provide health care in a variety of institutional and community settings, including both home support agencies and residential care facilities.

 

“We know how important it is to ensure B.C. students have better access and a wide variety of choice in their pursuit of post-secondary education,” said Moira Stilwell, Minister for Advanced Education and Labour Market Development. “These new spaces will help our students achieve their educational goals and provide them with the post-secondary education and skills training they need to succeed.”

 

Practical nurse students will graduate with the theory and skills required to practice as a licensed practical nurse while health care assistant graduates will be trained to provide care that promotes and maintains the physical, emotional, cognitive and social well-being of clients.

 

“We are pleased to have been asked to provide these additional 96 spaces for practical nursing and health care assistant students,” said Camosun College president Kathryn Laurin. “They will have opportunities to practice their new skills in ‘living laboratories’ through our partnerships with social services and health care agencies, hospitals, First Nation communities, and a range of agencies on southern Vancouver Island.”

 

Camosun College’s provincial funding is part of almost $1.7 million provided to six public post-secondary institutions in urban and rural communities across B.C. for 210 new student spaces to train practical nurses, health care assistants and medical office assistants.

 

Since 2001, the Province has invested more than $937 million in health-related operating and capital funding at post-secondary institutions across B.C.

 

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For media inquiries only, contact:

Lisa Tees Communications Manager Ministry of Advanced Education and Labour Market Development 250 952-6400 250 888-3466 (cell)

 

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