Paintearth Community Adult Learning (PCAL) is excited about a new program being brought to Castor and Forestburg in the fall of 2023.
In partnership with NorQuest College, PCAL is bringing a health care aide program to the communities.
The program needs 10 students between the two communities to run, and the learning will be offered through video-conferencing at the two Battle River Innovation Centre facilities in the two communities, though logging in remotely from home will also be an option.
According to PCAL program manager Kaye Hauck, some details are yet to be worked out, but PCAL will be working as the liaison between the communities and Norquest to finalize things.
To facilitate learning, lab sessions and practicums will be set up in each community minimizing the amount students need to travel.
Because of the shortage of HCAs in the province, the government is actually offering bursaries for those who complete the program.
Students will potentially be required to front the entire $9,000 cost of the course, but the government is offering a $3,000 bursary after the first three months is complete, then another $6,000 on the completion of the course.
Open to anyone in Grade 12 or older, the HCA program is open to anyone in the Paintearth and Flagstaff regions.
The program will run from October through June, with certification upon completion.
If everything goes well with the program, PCAL hopes to bring in Veterinary Technicians, Heavy Duty Mechanics, and Welding programs in the future, also in partnership with NorQuest.
For more information, call PCAL at 1-888-578-3817 and leave a message as the organization is currently on summer hours.
