Program Overview

Thanks to funding by the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia, BC Care Providers Association (BCCPA) will be training 20 new Practical Nurses (PN) in Central Island & Vernon, B.C., in partnership with Discovery Community College (DCC).

Students enrolled in the program will receive skills training by way of DCC’s full-time (36 hours/week), 51-week accelerated Practical Nurse (PN) Access bridging program, a recognized PN Access training program by the BC College of Nurses & Midwives (BCCNM). DCC’s PN Access program was initiated in response to the need for recognizing past training and work experience of applicants to the PN program. This program credits applicants for their previous B.C. HCA, RCA, or RHCA training.

BCCPA will cover the entire cost of tuition for participants, as well as provide additional eligible participant financial supports.

BCCPA has gained strong support for this initiative from various employers in the region. All participating employers have full-time or part-time positions available in their organizations. Graduates will benefit from bountiful employment opportunities in a regulated profession, unionized work environments and earn a living wage with benefits. Following the completion of skills training, BCCPA will support students in finding permanent positions with participating continuing care employers in the community.

CWRG Eligibility Criteria

Participants must:

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• 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**;
  • have not accessed any other CWRG funded training projects in the fiscal year (April 1, 2025 – Current) or be currently enrolled in any other federally or provincially funded training programs at the start of the project;

  *Part-time is defined as those employed less than 30 hours 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.

College Admissions Prerequisites

Additional admissions requirements are adhered to by Discovery Community College as set by BCCNM, including:

• Grade 12 graduation or mature student status (19+);
• A certificate in one of the following programs: Health Care Assistant (HCA); or Resident Care Attendant (RCA); or a combined Home Support/Resident Care Attendant (HS/RCA);
• 600 hours of work experience as an HCA or RCA or HS/RCA within the last two (2) years, in a hospital or residential care community where care is provided to a group of clients;
• Meet English language competency requirements;
• Math 11 Foundations with a minimum grade of 60% or equivalent;
• English 12 with a minimum grade of 65% or English First Peoples 12 with a minimum grade of 65% or equivalent;
• English as an Additional Language must meet English language proficiency requirements;
• Anatomy and Physiology 12 with a minimum grade of 60% or equivalent.

Note: Academic Prerequisites may be met through an appropriate Assessment, please speak with a DCC Academic Advisor for details.

DCC Admissions Enquiries: 1-877-315-5241

Key Dates

Pre-screening/interviews: Actively accepting applications!

Skills training dates: August 11, 2025 to August 7, 2026*

*Note: There is a mandatory orientation pre-requisite component between July 22, 2025 to August 8, 2025.

How to Apply

You may apply by completing our basic eligibility screening form by clicking here.

General Enquiries

For general enquiries, please contact BCCPA’s Programs department:

Email: programs[at]bccare.ca

FAQs