Healthcare workers in continuing care will have five new in-person health and safety training location options in British Columbia, thanks to a new partnership between SafeCare BC and AgeCare. 

With the opening of five new satellite training centres, this new partnership will expand the capacity for in-person health and safety training to continuing care workers in the Thompson Okanagan, Lower Mainland, and the Cariboo with new centres in Kelowna, Williams Lake, Burnaby, Lumby, and Salmon Arm. 

“This partnership provides access to training and education in our AgeCare facilities, ensuring we are equipping all with the best possible tools to keep staff and residents safe and well,” says Khairun Jivani, AgeCare Vice President, Operations BC. 

In addition to the five new centres opening this week, SafeCare BC has partnered with organizations in Abbotsford, Parksville, Penticton, Nanaimo, and Sidney. 

“We are thrilled to partner with our members to provide more opportunities for health and safety training to continuing care workers across the province,” said Saleema Dhalla, CEO SafeCare BC. “Although we have expanded our virtual and online learning in the last couple of years, we know that in-person training provides exceptional hands-on experience and greater interaction between participants and their peers, as well as with facilitators.” 

Under the satellite training centre model, SafeCare BC coordinates education and materials, registration, and facilitators, and the satellite site provides the classroom venue and coordinates site logistics.  

SafeCare BC offers comprehensive training workshops on issues impacting the health and well-being of continuing care workers – including safe handling, safety leadership, responding to critical incidents in the workplace, and the Provincial Violence Prevention Curriculum. Workplace violence is a leading cause of injury in both long-term care and home health – which makes training in this area vitally important to protect workers.  

Continuing care workers in long-term care, home care, and community health look after some of British Columbia’s most vulnerable citizens and experience some of the highest workplace injury rates. Health and safety training is critical in reducing workplace injuries that can contribute to staff shortages, fatigue, and burnout. It also empowers healthcare workers to have the confidence to speak up when they observe an unsafe situation.