Capilano University is working with the Squamish Nation to provide training for in-demand jobs
NORTH VANCOUVER B.C. – The Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills and Training recently announced one-time funding of $135,000 to support an additional offering of the Health Care Assistant program at Capilano University. CapU is working with the Squamish Nation to fill seats in this eight-month program with Indigenous students from the Squamish and other Nations on the North Shore.Most of the classes will run out of the Squamish Nation’s Eslha7an Learning Centre, starting in September 2018. Capilano University is working to Indigenize the curriculum by incorporating culturally appropriate content and teaching methods.
“Capilano University is excited to be working with the Squamish Nation to train students for in-demand jobs,” says Brad Martin, dean of the Faculty of Education, Health & Human Development. “Indigenous people are underrepresented in post-secondary education and in healthcare and we hope to help break down barriers and change that.”
Health care assistants play a valuable role in the public health system, offering day-to-day personal-care support to seniors and people with disabilities. Health care assistants work in settings that include home support, assisted living and complex care facilities.
Nadja Neubauer, an instructor in the Health Care Assistant program, believes graduates of the program who are connected to the Squamish Nation are more likely to seek employment on the North Shore.
“This will create a win-win situation,” says Neubauer. “This training will provide Indigenous students with wonderful opportunities in healthcare and residents of the North Shore will be more likely to get the care they need.”
Khelsilem (Dustin Rivers), Squamish Nation Council spokesperson, says the Education, Employment and Training team is excited to collaborate with Capilano University in offering the program.
“The Health Care Assistant program will allow our Nation members to acquire unique skills in a caring field that will open up employment opportunities for them,” he said.
About Capilano University
Capilano University is a teaching-focused university based in North Vancouver, with programming serving the Sunshine Coast and the Sea-to-Sky corridor. The University offers 99 programs, including bachelor’s degrees in areas as diverse as film, jazz, early childhood education and tourism management. Capilano University enrols approximately 10,500 students each year, 8,200 in for-credit programs and 2,300 in non-credit courses. Capilano University is named after Chief Joe Capilano, an important leader of the Squamish (Sḵwx̱wú7mesh) Nation of the Coast Salish people. Our campuses are located on the territories of the Lil’wat, Musqueam, Sechelt (shíshálh), Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Nations.
For more information, or to schedule interviews, please contact:
Cheryl Rossi
Senior Communications Officer
Capilano University
t: 604 983 7596
c: 778 879 7119
e: cherylrossi@capilanou.ca
www.capilanou.ca
Submitted by: Cheryl Rossi