Program Overview
BCCPA regularly applies for grant funding to facilitate career pathways for those looking to work in B.C.’s diverse health care sector through our Health Care Assistant (HCA) Training Program.
How to Apply
Applications are closed at this time.
To stay informed about future opportunities, please click here to complete our intake request form. We will contact you if future grant opportunities arise in your community.
General Enquiries
For general enquiries, please contact BCCPA Programs department:
Email: programs@bccare.ca
Phone: 604-736-4233 ext. 246
FAQs
BCCPA applies for grant funding from the Government of Canada through the Canada-British Columbia Workforce Development Agreement to train health care assistants. Subject to grant availability, funding allows BCCPA to cover the full cost of tuition for participants, as well as provide additional participant financial supports (up to $5,000) to help eliminate barriers to successful program completion, such as childcare, transportation and other eligible training supports. Students enrolled in the program receive part-time skills training by way of the provincially approved curriculum for health care assistants. Participants also benefit from enhanced occupational health and safety training.
The HCA Diploma Program is designed to provide students with opportunities to develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to function effectively as front-line caregivers and respected members of the health care team. Under the direction and supervision of a health professional, graduates provide person-centred care aimed at promoting and maintaining the physical, emotional, cognitive, and social well-being of clients. Those who choose careers as HCAs are looking to help other people and make a difference.
Learn more about becoming an HCA at www.choose2care.ca or visit the FAQ section on our Health Human Resources information page here.
Learn more about becoming an HCA at www.choose2care.ca or visit the FAQ section on our Health Human Resources information page here.
Due to current orders mandated by B.C. health officials, all participants undertaking the HCA Training Program are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, except where a permitted medical reason exists*. As clinical will take place in long-term care and assisted living settings, this mandate protects staff, families, and vulnerable residents in care.
*Medical exemptions are determined by B.C. Health Officials and BCCPA cannot guarantee any exemptions will be made.
Last updated: May 4, 2023
*Medical exemptions are determined by B.C. Health Officials and BCCPA cannot guarantee any exemptions will be made.
Last updated: May 4, 2023
The training program is delivered through blended learning methods and varying schedules throughout the program components. The theory component is delivered online with synchronous sessions. On-site lab and practice education components will be completed in the community with varying schedules. In total, the entire program consists of 780 hours of training.
Participants are expected to have a flexible schedule to accommodate the variable scheduling requirements throughout the theory, lab and practice education program components.
Participants are expected to have a flexible schedule to accommodate the variable scheduling requirements throughout the theory, lab and practice education program components.
Through the onset and completion of the program and finding employment in the field, grant recipients share their participant success story to highlight how the program has benefitted them. Further, students are expected to complete a final student outcomes evaluation survey and provide any follow up outcomes information post-program completion.
Subject to grant availability, the full cost of the HCA Diploma Program tuition is covered through the grant funds. Additionally, participants are eligible to receive up to $5,000 in additional participant financial supports to help eliminate barriers to their successful program completion, such as childcare, transportation and other eligible training supports.
Upon completion of the HCA Training Program, graduates are prepared to work in a variety of practice settings, including home support, assisted living, long-term care, special care units, other home and community care settings, and acute care. As our population ages, demand for senior care services continues to increase, meaning that HCAs are one of the fastest-growing occupations in all regions of British Columbia, as well as across Canada, with high job prospects. The B.C. Ministry of Health has identified that HCAs are a priority health occupation and has set a target to recruit an additional 3,000 HCAs to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
