A new Health Care Assistant Certificate course will be offered to Grade 12 students at Peter Skene Ogden Secondary School (PSO).
School District #27 (SD27) chair Will Van Osch says the dual-credit program will be available at its secondary schools in partnership with Thompson Rivers University (TRU).
The school board says he thinks it is an important addition to the curriculum, both for students and for the community.
“I do believe it will be important, and there seems to be quite a desire for it.”
The aging population and growing demand for health-care workers in the region means this training certificate can also potentially benefit seniors, families and individuals in the South Cariboo.
“It definitely stems from a need, and one recognized by not only the school district, but from TRU as well.”
The SD27 trustees recently endorsed the addition of the new course upon a recommendation made by its education committee, Van Osch explains, and under the guidance of transition, trades and training co-ordinator Gord Armour.
“[Armour] makes sure there is a need and there is a future in it. He also is very good at ensuring it is appropriate for [the students taking the course] at that time and for the specific person because it can be quite challenging.”
Any trades training at PSO that earns credits toward courses at TRU and is geared to meet local employment needs can also help keep young people working in their own community after graduation, Van Osch notes, rather than migrating elsewhere to find jobs.
