Home »
COTR Fernie and Invermere in on one-time funding program
College of the Rockies’ Fernie and Invermere campuses are included in a one-time funding program announced by the Ministry of Advanced Education Sept. 24.
Eight post-secondary colleges and universities will receive a total of $1.8 million in 2013-14 to support the delivery of 12 health care programs, Advanced Education Minister Amrik Virk announced Tuesday at Camosun College.
“We’re encouraging education that meets labour demands – training that gets British Columbians ready to contribute here in B.C., and to put a paycheque in their back pocket for doing so,” said Virk. “As the demand for health care continues to grow, we need to ensure that we continue to provide the right training in the right place to meet regional demands.”
The funding, which is targeted at programs running for one year or less, was awarded following a call for proposals to public post-secondary institutions. The almost $1.8 million will support 12 programs, including mental health and addictions and health care assistant, to be offered at eight public post-secondary institutions throughout B.C., including Camosun. This will create 221 additional student spaces in 2013-14.
“This funding will increase spaces in a variety of short-term programs from mental health and addictions worker training to health care assistant training that support the delivery of front-line care to patients,” said Health Minister Terry Lake. “This is a great example of how government is assessing resources and targeting funding to best support the health and well-being of British Columbians.”
One-time funding for short-term health education programs addresses the immediate needs of specific communities that do not have sufficient student and employer demand to support a program on a long-term basis. B.C.’s post-secondary institutions are helping address the needs of the health care system by ensuring that students in the health care professions have the skills and training they need to serve their communities effectively.
Post-secondary institutions that applied for funding through the call for proposals were assessed on criteria such as institutional capacity, student demand, clinical placement capacity, labour market demand, and past health education program delivery.
The funds to College of the Rockies Invermere and Fernie campuses covers 16 full-time equivalent student placements each.
e-KNOW
