Wainwright is looking for more health care workers after Alberta Health Services opened up 12 new staffing positions, according to Economic Development Officer Carley Herbert.
The Health Care Aide Program is now being offered in Wainwright and will be run through Lakeland College. The certificate program is nine weekends, beginning in September. Herbert says that Wainwright is a transient community and that is one of the contributing factors to their shortage of health care aide workers.
“There’s a lot of work and AHS just got funding for I think it was 12 new spots, so they need to fill those positions.”
The program is currently being offered at Lakeland College in Lloydminster, but was previously held in Wainwright two years ago. Herbert says that in Wainwright students will get the opportunity to have a more hands on experience because part of the program will be run in the Wainwright hospital.
“I think it would definitely help them in their learning and being familiar with the surroundings of getting to know the people their as well.”
Herberts adds that last time 90 per cent of their students were hired before the program was completed.
There will be an information night about the program at the Wainwright Communiplex on March 28.