Physical and occupational therapists are in demand now than they have ever before for the province.
That’s from B.C. Advanced Education Minister Melanie Mark, who was in Prince George today (May 24) to announced a combined $3.3 million government fund for a total of 36 additional seats for northern students to study and train in those specific healthcare programs at UNBC.
.@melaniejmark’s 2nd announcement in Prince George today (May 24) is at @UNBC, where the B.C. government is investing $3.3M for 36 more masters seats for northern students in physical therapy programs via @UBC | #CityOfPG #bced @PGMatters pic.twitter.com/mOdGR91Xyl
— Kyle Balzer (@KyleBalzer) May 24, 2019
This is being done through an expanded partnership with UBC in Vancouver, with the goal of having both programs in full force in the next three years.
“Adding more occupational and physical therapy seats has been a call to action for years,” said Mark in a presentation at UNBC’s Teaching and Learning Atrium this afternoon. “Our government listened and is investing in opportunities to bring education closer to home, because we know that when students live and train in the north, they are more likely to stay and work in the North.”
Broken down, B.C. is funding $2.2 million of the total sum towards 20 more seats in the master of physical therapy program in Prince George, anticipating 20 future first-year students to enroll by September 2020.
This program trains interested students to become physiotherapists, helping people prevent injury and disease through exercise regiments.
For the master of occupational therapy program, UNBC and UBC’s joint partnership will get $1.1 million for an additional 16 seats for first-years enrolling for September 2022.
This particular field focuses on supporting patients recovering from illness, injury, or mental health issues by providing daily activities.
With more occupational and physical therapy training seats at @UNBC, more students will have opportunities to pursue careers in health care while learning close to home. https://t.co/xq1QpduJiZ#CityofPG #BCpse @UNBC @UBC @UBCNMP_unbc @melaniejmark pic.twitter.com/FX5dzDWKSc
— BC Government News (@BCGovNews) May 24, 2019
The goal of this investment is to improve the quality of life for residents living in Prince George and across the entire region, keeping up with UNBC’s motto of equipping students in the north to study, work, and stay in the north.
“We’re excited at the prospect of this partnership and launching a joint northern program to support students who want to pursue careers as occupational and physical therapists,” said UNBC President Dr. Daniel Weeks in a release. “As we’ve learned from the success of our academic programming and alumni community, we know that when we train students in the North, they are more likely to stay in the North.”
This is the first time since 2008 that there’s been an expansion of seats in both programs across all B.C. post-secondary institutions.
According to the B.C. government, the expansion increases the number of physical therapy seats for students to 120 and the number of occupational therapy spots to 72.
