What is BC Cares?

BC Cares is a program that was designed by the BC Care Providers Association (BCCPA) in 2007 to recruit care aides into the growing seniors care sector. Initially developed as a pilot with the Fraser Health Authority, BC Cares became a province-wide initiative in 2009-2009.

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News

Media Report: Alberni Valley Times

Over the past week, the BC Care Providers Association has participated in a number of media interviews on the issue of labour shortages in the seniors care sector. In addition to appearances on CFAX 1070 in Victoria and the province-wide Corus Radio Network, here is a report from the Port Alberni Valley Times on Vancouver Island (see report below).

The B.C. Care Providers Association has estimated the province will face a shortage of 5,200 licensed practical nurses and certified care aides by the year 2018.

To that end, the association is receiving $300,000 in funding from the Canada-B.C. Labour Market Partnership to develop and launch a program to attract more workers into the field. BCCPA spokesman David Hurford said the looming worker shortage is partly a result of our aging population, both the rising number of people in care and in the workforce that cares for them.

"It could be a lot worse. We believe the reason it's not quite so acute already is the recession," Hurford said.

Many workers who have reached retirement age in the past few years are still working as the result of family job loss or the loss of financial security due to the economic downturn of 2008, he explained.

Barb Stevenson, executive director of Fir Park/Echo Village and a member of the BCCPA board, said the Alberni Valley has been especially affected by demographics.

"Attracting young people to our region has been a challenge, even as the demand for our services increases," Stevenson said.

Hurford said fortunately, the province understands the need for more workers, hence the new funding and co-operation from the Advanced Education Ministry.

"They know they have to add beds in the future, and they have to staff them," he said.

For those considering training in the health care field, Hurford said there is always the ability to achieve to higher and higher certification.

"I think one of the great opportunities is to take a one-year senior care aide program, then ladder up as you go. Our job is to make that point," he said, adding that, as part of the ongoing recruitment program, BCCPA is looking at ways to make professional upgrading even more accessible for employees already in the workforce.

Stevenson said she welcomes any innovation that allows employees to increase their skills while continuing to work.

"You have a full spectrum of education and training from registered nurses to LPNs and care aides," she said.

"For LPNs especially, their role has expanded to fill in the gap that we have been experiencing in the province with RNs. We've seen their education enhanced to expand that scope of practice."

In the Alberni Valley, both North Island College and the private Discovery College provide certification training for LPNs and care aides. Stevenson noted that Fir Park/Echo Village provides practicum opportunities for LPN candidates from NIC.

Hurford said communities also have to look at health care as an employment issue. While it's ultimately public money, it is spent at the ground level, providing well-paying jobs and consuming local goods and services. Even more importantly for cities like Port Alberni, the availability of comprehensive health care services has become a selling factor for people and businesses looking to re-locate, he said.

"Ask any city councillor if they see health care as an economic development issue," Hurford said.

Hurford said BCCPA is currently compiling a more comprehensive overview of the impending job shortage, and that 5,200 figure will likely increase following consultation with unions and employers around the province.


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