The healthcare sector, particularly long-term care facilities, is facing unprecedented challenges, creating a significant demand for skilled and compassionate individuals. The Supportive Care Assistant Program emerges as a timely and fully-funded solution to bridge this gap, offering a unique pathway for individuals seeking a rewarding career in healthcare. This initiative, developed in response to critical labor shortages intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic, provides comprehensive training and practical experience, setting participants on a course to make a real difference in their communities.
Addressing the Critical Need in Long-Term Care Facilities
The long-term care sector has been significantly impacted by recent global events, highlighting the urgent need for qualified support staff. Supportive care assistants play a vital role in this environment, providing essential non-clinical assistance to clients and easing the workload of nurses and other healthcare professionals. This program is specifically designed to equip individuals with the necessary skills to effectively support long-term and homecare staff, directly addressing the pressing labor demands within this crucial sector.
What the Supportive Care Assistant Program Offers Aspiring Healthcare Professionals
This innovative program is structured to maximize accessibility and effectiveness. It features six weeks of convenient online training, allowing students to learn from anywhere, followed by a four-month paid work placement. Crucially, the Supportive Care Assistant program is fully subsidized by Employment and Social Development Canada, removing financial barriers for eligible students. Participants will acquire valuable knowledge and practical skills focused on delivering essential non-clinical client care. Furthermore, this program serves as an excellent stepping stone for those considering further education, providing a solid foundation for a career progression towards becoming a fully certified continuing care assistant.
Benefits for Both Students and Future Employers in Healthcare
The Supportive Care Assistant program offers significant advantages for both individuals and organizations. Students gain access to fully-funded training, acquire in-demand skills, and receive a paid work placement, providing real-world experience and a clear entry point into the healthcare field. For long-term care and homecare employers, partnering with this program provides access to a pipeline of trained individuals ready to contribute, along with a wage subsidy of $5,000 per student to offset initial hiring costs. This partnership creates valuable connections and helps build a pool of qualified candidates to meet future staffing needs within their facilities.
Saskatchewan Polytechnic and Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) Collaboration
Saskatchewan Polytechnic is a proud partner institution collaborating with Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) on this vital initiative. Dr. Larry Rosia, president and CEO of Saskatchewan Polytechnic, emphasizes the program’s dual benefit, stating, “This unique approach gives students the opportunity to gain new skills and jump-start a new career path, while giving employers new workers and the financial assistance to hire them.” Denise Amyot, president and CEO of CICan, further highlights the program as an example of how “colleges and institutes are helping displaced workers develop skills for in-demand careers through programs that meet the needs of students, employers, and their communities.”
Program Enrollment Details and Application Information
Saskatchewan Polytechnic is offering multiple start dates for the Supportive Care Assistant program, including June, July, August, September, and October 2021. Prospective students are encouraged to apply through the Sask Polytech website. It is important to note that program seats are limited and subject to student eligibility. For further inquiries, please reach out via email to [email protected]. Additional details about the broader CICan partnership project can be found at Building Capacity in Long-term Care.
This Supportive Care Assistant program represents a significant opportunity to address critical needs in the healthcare sector while empowering individuals to embark on fulfilling and essential careers. Apply today and take the first step towards making a positive impact in your community.
