The Building Capacity in Long-term Care (BCLTC) program addressed challenges in the care economy to strengthen the resiliency of the long-term care, home care, and independent living sectors. It tackled immediate labour shortages, standardized training and care quality, and expanded opportunities for healthcare workers.
What we did:
We mobilized Canada’s colleges and institutes to develop the Supportive Care Assistant (SCA) program, a fully subsidized national microcredential designed to attract and rapidly train new healthcare workers. The program provided free entry-level training, which helped launch over 1,000 healthcare careers for individuals who might not have otherwise pursued personal support work.
Because of our work, over 400 facilities received crucial support through paid student placements, alleviating worker shortages, reducing staff stress, and ensuring a steady supply of skilled workers to meet labour demands and provide high-quality care. It also built capacity for our members by pooling resources to create a new microcredential, fostering collaboration, enhancing their training programs, and strengthening partnerships. The course is now available as an open educational resource.
A New Standard in Quality of Care
BCLTC also created the first-ever National Occupational Standard for Personal Care Providers (PSWs, CCAs, HCAs, etc.). This standard establishes clear role expectations and outlines required competencies. It guides curriculum development, assists employers in recruiting qualified workers, and helps job seekers and foreign-trained newcomers plan their career paths.
Because of the NOS, personal care providers can more easily find consistent and rewarding careers in the healthcare sector, crucial for addressing workforce shortages and ensuring consistent high-quality care across Canada. The NOS also raises awareness of the critical role personal care providers play in the healthcare system, which is essential for attracting and retaining talent in the sector.
Access the SCA program as an Open Educational Resource
The SCA program is a flexible, targeted training model that effectively addresses immediate labour shortages, strengthens partnerships between educational institutions and employers, and can serve as a template for future healthcare training initiatives. Now available as an open educational resource, it ensures ongoing benefits and adaptability for future training needs.
Access the National Occupational Standard
The National Occupational Standard (NOS) for Personal Care Providers sets the benchmark for the skills and knowledge required to succeed in these roles. It provides a clear framework for training and hiring, ensuring high-quality care across Canada. The Canadian Association for Long Term Care is now the steward for the NOS, further ensuring its relevance and impact in the sector.
