Hon. Allan Campbell, Minister of Innovation and Higher Learning, and Holland College President Dr. Brian McMillan announced today that Holland College will offer a Resident Care Worker program in Souris starting in October. The seven-month program trains students for employment in long-term care facilities in both the public and private sectors, in home care, and in community agencies.

The 16-seat program will be located in Holland College's Souris Centre on the second floor of the Main Street Mall. The decision to establish a Resident Care Worker program in Souris is the result of the increasing demand for RCWs in the Souris area, Dr. McMillan said.

"Holland College's Resident Care Worker program is designed to meet the evolving needs of the health system and its patients," he said. "For example, the new model of care on Prince Edward Island will result in RCWs having the opportunity to work in acute care. Our training program will provide graduates with a firm foundation upon which to build their careers."

Minister Campbell said today's announcement will provide residents of Eastern Kings with the opportunity to train for the job requirements of the Island healthcare system.

"Resident care workers play a vital role in hands-on patient care in this province. These are challenging, rewarding careers that give RCWs an opportunity to bring hands-on assistance to patients," he said. "The training opportunities announced today will let these students train for meaningful careers and will also give them the opportunity to make a real, tangible difference in the lives of their fellow Islanders."

The establishment of an RCW program in Souris is another example of the college's responsiveness to the changing demands of Island communities, Dr. McMillan noted.

"Holland College is undergoing an unprecedented expansion across the province; from Georgetown to Summerside to West Prince to Charlottetown, and now Souris, our expansion reflects the current and projected labour market needs for a highly skilled work force. The skilled labour shortages identified in labour market projections mirror closely the programming at Holland College and we want to continue to work closely with industry, government and the community at large to ensure this continues to be the case," he added.