Program Overview
Thanks to funding by the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia, BC Care Providers Association (BCCPA) is training 24 new Activity Assistants in select communities across Vancouver Island, Interior, Northern and Lower Mainland regions of B.C. Students enrolled in the program will receive skills training by way of an industry recognized curriculum for Activity Assistants, delivered in partnership with North Island College.
BCCPA will cover the entire cost of tuition for participants, as well as provide additional training supports with funding provided through the Community Workforce Response Grant (CWRG).
BCCPA has gained strong support for this initiative from several employers in each region. All participating employers have part-time or full-time positions available in their organizations. Following the completion of skills training, BCCPA will support students in finding permanent positions with participating continuing care employers in the community.
The program will be delivered over the course of 15 weeks, including ten (10) weeks of classroom theory, four (4) weeks of practical education, and one (1) week of additional health and safety course training through SafeCare BC. The program is delivered entirely online (Live Online).
CWRG Eligibility Criteria
Participants must:
- currently reside in B.C.;
- be 16 years of age or older;
- be Canadian citizens, permanent residents or protected persons entitled to work in Canada;
- be in possession of a valid Social Insurance Number (SIN);
- be unemployed, or employed part-time*, seasonally, casually, or precariously**;
- Must not be enrolled in any other federally or provincially funded training program at the start of the project;
*Part-time is defined as those employed 30 hours or less per week.
**Precariously is defined as those who are employed but at risk of losing a job and in need of training for a new job.
North Island College Admissions Prerequisites
The above are the minimum eligibility requirements potential participants must meet before moving forward with the application process.
Additional admission requirements are set by North Island College in line with their standard admission prerequisites, including:
- One of the following:
- Health Care Assistant (HCA) certificate (or);
- Home Support/Resident Care Attendant (HS/RCA) certificate (or) equivalent credential (e/g., LPN, RN (or);
- Admission Waiver* – Demonstrated background and success working closely with seniors in a LTC setting
- *Subject to approval in the applicant’s relevant health authority
- Completion of a Criminal Record Consent Form under the Criminal Record Review Act
- Hold a valid FoodSafe Level 1 certificate
- Hold a valid CPR-C First Aid certificate
Key Dates
Pre-screening/interviews: Actively accepting applications.
Skills training dates:
- September 25, 2024 – January 28, 2025
How to Apply
We are currently accepting applications for applicants working in the following regional communities:
- Vancouver Island: Brentwood Bay, Campbell River, Chemainus, Comox, Courtenay, Duncan, Esquimalt, Ladysmith, Nanaimo, Parksville, Port Alberni, Qualicum Beach, Saanich, Saanichton, Shawnigan Lake, Sidney, Victoria
- Interior: Armstrong, Kamloops, Kelowna, Lake Country, Lumby, Merritt, Oliver, Osoyoos, Penticton, Salmon Arm, Summerland, Vernon, West Kelowna, Winfield
- Northern B.C.: 100 Mile House, Prince George, Quesnel, Williams Lake
- Lower Mainland: Surrey
If you meet the minimum CWRG Eligibility Criteria & Stenberg College Admissions Prerequisites, please click here to begin the application process.
General Enquiries
For general enquiries or assistance, please contact BCCPA Programs department:
Email: programs [at] bccare.ca
Phone: 604-736-4233 ext. 246
Learn More
Learn more about North Island College’s Activity Assistant Training Program here.
FAQs
The funding allows BCCPA to fully cover the Diploma tuition cost for participants, as well as provide an additional up to $2,500 in financial supports during training.
Students enrolled in the program will receive skills training by way of an industry recognized curriculum for Activity Assistants.
Program participants will learn to plan and implement supervised activities for older adults with cognitive and physical impairments and gain hands-on experience with supervised practicum experience.
Building on the HCA Program, students will explore the theory and skills necessary to work as an
Activity Assistant. Students are introduced to activity as a part of life that influences, and is
influenced by, health, age, interests, values, and environment. This completely online program
consists of 3 virtual courses and 2 virtual practicum experiences. Topics include:
- A Framework for Practice (the Activity Assistant role)
- Activity for Well-Being
- Programming ideas for clients with cognitive impairments
- Two Practicums (one short, one longer)
Learn more about North Island College’s Activity Assistant Certificate program here.
Live Online classes with North Island College are held on Wednesday evenings 5-8PM and Fridays 9AM-430PM - with some exception dates. Final Evaluation is held virtually on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, 5-8pm. Following this date, participants will complete a series of self-paced, online health and safety training courses with SafeCare BC during the final week of the program.
Live Online classes with North Island College are held on Wednesday evenings 5-8PM and Fridays 9AM-430PM - with some exception dates. Final Evaluation is held virtually on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, 5-8pm. Following this date, participants will complete a series of self-paced, online health and safety training courses with SafeCare BC during the final week of the program.
As an Activity Assistant, you’ll find opportunities for employment in a variety of seniors' care settings, including long-term care and assisted living settings, and clients’ homes. BCCPA has gained strong support for this initiative from several employers in each region. All participating employers have part-time or full-time positions available in their organizations.
Following the completion of skills training, BCCPA will support students in finding permanent positions with participating continuing care employers in the community.