Vancouver Island University received over $66,000 in one-time funding for 12 spaces at its Community Mental Health Worker certificate program, as part of a provincewide initiative to provide additional support for short-term health education programs.
“The program from this targeted funding will help VIU students gain skills and prepare for a career in a job where there is current demand,” said Parksville-Qualicum MLA Michelle Stilwell, in a press release.
Being offered at VIU’s Nanaimo campus, the certificate program is recognized as a qualification for employment for mental health worker positions within Island Health and is based on the principles of psychosocial rehabilitation.
The health authority recently indicated an increasing demand for qualified mental health workers across Vancouver Island with many positions anticipated in the central Island region.
Vancouver Island University is one of seven public post-secondary institutes that is receiving this one-time funding. All totalled, the provincial government is providing $1.5 million towards 188 student spaces in short-term health education.