VIU part of BC plan to train, recruit more allied health professionals

British Columbians will soon benefit from as many as 322 more allied health professionals supporting their health-care needs as new training seats are added to public post-secondary institutions throughout BC, including at Vancouver Island University (VIU).

The seats will include a new partnership between VIU and Selkirk College.

“VIU is excited by this partnership and for us to be working collaboratively with Selkirk College on this important, much-needed program," said Lynda Phillips, Associate Dean for Health and Human Services. “We look forward to greeting our first set of students.”

In BC, the allied health workforce provides a range of preventative, diagnostic, technical and therapeutic health care, as well as clinical support services. They contribute specialized expertise, education, research and leadership, often working as integral members of a collaborative health-care team to improve the health and well-being of British Columbians.

“Building up and supporting our health workforce is our biggest priority,” said BC Health Minister Adrian Dix, Minister of Health. “Our communities have been telling us how important the need for more health services is, and we are listening. That’s why we’re supporting public post-secondary institutions to expand and create pathways to get more health workers into the system.”

In 2021-22, the Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Training provided $3.5 million to public post-secondary institutions to expand allied health seats, with an investment of nearly $18 million total planned by 2024. The Ministry of Health, through the Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Training, also provided approximately $8.7 million in 2021-22 to support health education programs. As many as 322 new ongoing and one-time allied health seats will be added to B.C.’s public post-secondary institutions.

“Expanding training and preparing a new generation of health-care workers is essential to our health-care system and people’s well-being,” said Anne Kang, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Training. “By investing in health programs and training-related equipment and space, we are training the passionate health professionals of tomorrow.”

Investing in new training seats is a key pillar of the StrongerBC Economic Plan, which aims to close the skills gap with a generational commitment to accelerate talent development and skills training for British Columbians.

“Expanding training for health-care workers is an important part of our StrongerBC Economic Plan,” said Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation. “These new seats in allied health programs will create opportunities for British Columbians and help fill the one million new job openings expected over the next decade.”

In addition to seat expansions, the province is also investing more than $10 million in bursaries and professional development funding to help train, retain and support allied health professionals.

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MEDIA CONTACT:

Eric Zimmer, Communications Officer, Vancouver Island University

P: 250.618.7296 | E: Eric.Zimmer@viu.ca