By Lara Croll
With Canada’s aging population, there is an urgent need to ensure that the health care system is able to meet the needs of frail and elderly seniors. In light of these demographic changes, BC’s labour market outlook is projecting that the seniors care will be the fastest growing industry in BC between now and 2025.[1] More immediately, the BC Ministry of Health has identified a need to increase the supply of long term care workers by about 1,500 full time equivalents (FTEs) to support increased investments in care hours,[2] and a net gain of 2,849 FTEs to meet demand and replace workers as they retire.[3]
In stark contrast to the increasing needs of seniors, the number of continuing care workers in the province is falling critically short of current (and future) demand. BC now faces a health human resource crisis in the continuing care sector, with up to 60% of long term care providers citing labour shortages.[4] Health Care Assistants (HCAs), who provide up to 80% of direct care to seniors, are the occupation in highest demand, particularly in rural and remote regions of the province.
BCCPA has identified that dual credit programs are one potential solution to these ongoing challenges. Dual credit programs allow students to earn credits for high school and post-secondary studies at the same time, often in pursuit of occupational specific training.
While not well known, dual credit programs have many advantages. Dual credit programs provide students a chance to explore career options while still in high school at little or no additional costs. Instructors report that students who are otherwise disengaged respond positively to purposeful learning, and are grateful for the smooth transition to industry after graduation.
The advantages of dual credit programs are not limited to students alone. School districts benefit from increased graduation rates, and colleges cite strong retention among students, with one evaluation reporting that up to 72% of dual credit students returned for studies at the same college.[5] Finally, employers benefit from having their regional workforce needs met through occupational specific training.
Due to the many identified benefits, dual credit programs are well utilized for training in occupations such as welders, automotive mechanics, and carpentry, thus allowing BC to meet its growing demand for workers in skilled trades.
In stark contrast, dual credit programs are chronically underutilized for health and social service occupations, despite strong anticipated demand for these careers. Until recently, for example, there were only two dedicated program seats for HCAs in the Vancouver School District. Only after considerable advocacy work by BCCPA was this rectified, with the Vancouver School Board voting on April 30, 2018 to increase the number of HCA seats offered through Vancouver Community College.[6]
The overall lack of dual credit programs for health care students is concerning as there are many benefits to connecting young people with health care training. HCA education programs will not only connect students with high-quality jobs with competitive wages and benefits, but HCA students will also gain a rewarding career with opportunities to ladder up to become an LPN or RN if desired.
BCCPA’s 2017 winner of the Care Providers of the Year Award, Tasia Warren, is a graduate of Okanagan College’s dual credit program. Warren publicly attributes her success in the field to her early access to HCA training through her high school.
In BC there are several examples of dual credits programs that could be expanded or replicated across the province. One proven model of success is the South Island Partnership (SIP) on Vancouver Island. Established in 2013, the SIP is a collaboration between Camosun College and five school districts in the South Island region.[7] Students enrolled in the SIP are able to take advantage of a wide variety of training and education opportunities, including trades, technology, and health care, among others.[8]
The SIP boasts a 76% success rate overall for its dual credit programming, and health care students perform particularly well with a 90% success rate.[9] The SIP provides up to 10 seats for HCA students each year, though they have to flexibility to expand if receive applications from many strong candidates.
Given the proven success of the South Island Partnership model, BCCPA believes that dual credit programs are an important solution to increase the supply of domestically trained HCAs. As such, BCCPA is advocating for all school districts in the province to expand or establish dual credit program seats for HCA training. These investments will provide tangible benefits for students and school districts, while also helping to meet the needs of BC’s aging population.
END NOTES
[1] WorkBC, 2017. BC Labour Market Outlook, 2017 Edition
[2] BC Ministry of Health, 2017. Residential Care Review. March 2017.
[3] Dix, Adrian. “Care Aides” Edited Hansard. British Columbia, Debates of the Legislative Assembly. 41st Parl., 3rd Sess. Thursday May 10, 2018, Afternoon Sitting at 1550.
[4] SafeCare BC. SafeCare BC HR Survey Identifies Shortage of Workers. November 22, 2016.
[5] BCCAT, 2017. Dual Credit Programs: Exploring Dual Credit Student Transition and post-Secondary Academic Success. May 2017. Accessed at: http://www.bccat.ca/pubs/DualCredit_May2017.pdf
[6] BCCPA, 2018. School Board Vote to increase health care aide spaces lauded. May 1, 2018. Accessed at: https://bccare.ca/2018/05/school-board-vote-to-increase-health-care-aide-spaces-lauded/
[7] Greater Victoria (61), Sooke (62), Saanich (63), Gulf Islands (64), and Cowichan Valley (79).
[8] Camosun College. South Island Partnership, Dual Credit Options. Accessed on May 7, 2018. Accessed at: http://camosun.ca/learn/south-island-partnership/programs-courses/
[9] BCCAT, 2017. Dual Credit Programs: Exploring Dual Credit Student Transition and post-Secondary Academic Success. May 2017. Accessed at: http://www.bccat.ca/pubs/DualCredit_May2017.pdf
