Northern Lights College is excited to announce that $450,000 from the Peace River Regional District’s (PRRD) Health Related Services Grant-in-Aid has been approved to develop an Allied Health Care Strategy at Northern Lights College (NLC) to enhance our health programming.
The NLC Cares Allied Health Care Strategic Initiative addresses the pressing health care staffing needs in Northeast BC, where allied health professional vacancy rates currently range from 15 to 50%. Our focus will be on the research and development of three to five allied health certificate or diploma programs covering a range of professions, including rehabilitation assistants, pharmacy technicians, medical lab assistants, to name a few.
“This grant will allow NLC to research, develop curriculum, and launch programs that create a strong foundation for new allied health programs for our region,” said Todd Bondaroff. “Providing more opportunities for our students opens more doors to begin or advance their health care careers right here in the North.”
The timing of the launch of these programs will support staffing needs for the new Dawson Creek Hospital, the Fort St. John Hospital, and various long-term care facilities in the Northeast. By aligning with the Provincial Allied Health Strategic Plan and Northern Health, we aim to make a significant impact in providing visible allied health training in Northeast BC.
The development of these programs will create valuable opportunities for local high school students and others to explore and pursue careers in health care. By diversifying our health programming, we believe we can effectively address the healthcare workforce shortages experienced in our region.
Although NLC has well-established pathways for nursing professions, this funding allows us to extend our resources to other critical professions in healthcare. We hope this investment’s impact will be long-lasting, making a positive difference in the health and well-being of our communities.