Introducing the HaIL Training Program
Careers in Seniors Home Health and Independent Living
HaIL is Home and Independent Living
Training for B.C.’s #1 in-demand jobs
New workers are urgently needed to help B.C. face the shortage of skilled workers in independent living and home health care. Working in the independent living and home health is incredibly rewarding, pandemic-proof, and offers countless opportunities for career advancement.
With support from the Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Training, EngAge BC, an operating arm of the BC Care Providers Association, is offering free training for people who want to become home health companions or hospitality workers in independent living. Some financial supports will be provided to cover the costs such as transportation and childcare.
I am…
Become a Home Health Companion or Hospitality Worker
Do you…
- Get described as compassionate and caring?
- Like helping people live well and enjoy life to the fullest?
- Think you would like to make a difference in the lives of seniors?
- Want a new career in a stable industry, with opportunities for growth?
- Want to participate in a short, free training program which will help you find work in a rewarding field?
Workers who have had changes in their employment status due to COVID-19 may consider entering this important field, which is expected to be one the fastest growing industries over the next ten years.
Successful candidates will:
- Be prepared for non-clinical companion and hospitality roles in independent living and home health. Through these rewarding roles workers will do things such as keep seniors company, help with meals, perform light housekeeping and help with other day-to-day tasks.
- Have access to some financial supports to cover costs such as transportation and childcare.
- Be matched with an employer once they have successfully finished the HaIL Training Program.
- Expect to learn the skills necessary to excel in this field, will receive occupational health and safety training and will gain industry recognized credentials, such as First Aid and CPR.
Applicants must:
- Be Canadian citizens, permanent residents or protected persons entitled to work in Canada
- Be currently unemployed or precariously employed*
- Meet English Language Competency Requirements
- English 10 or equivalent (for applicants whose first language is English)
- Standardized English language proficiency test overall score equivalent to the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) 5 or above (for applicants whose first language is not English).
- Pass a criminal background check, including a vulnerable sector check
- Have immunization records showing that their vaccines are up to date
- Successfully complete a face to face (virtual) interview.
*Part-time, seasonal and casually employed participants would be considered precariously employed as well as those who are employed full time and at risk of losing their job.
The HaIL Training Program will be delivered in three geographical regions (the Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island and the Interior) to cohorts of 25 students. By the end of the HaIL Training program, you will be qualified to work as Home Health Companion or Independent Living Hospitality worker. This program does not provide you with a certification to be eligible to work as an HCA or receive a registration number with the BC Care Aide Community Health Worker Registry.
For Referral Partners
Connect Someone to a Meaningful Career as a Home Health Companion or Hospitality Worker
Over the course of 6-weeks, the initiative will provide a free orientation to workers seeking non-clinical companion and hospitality roles in independent living and home health. Students who complete the program will do things such as keep seniors company, help with meals, perform light housekeeping and help with day-to-day tasks. EngAge BC is seeking program participants who are compassionate, social, patient, flexible and interested in working with seniors.
The HaIL Training Program will be delivered in three geographical regions (the Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island and the Interior) to cohorts of 25 students.
Support for Students
Make your move
With personalized coaching and supports, this program is a great opportunity for groups with lower overall workforce participation rates and those with multiple employment barriers, including women, older workers, Indigenous peoples, visible minorities, newcomers to Canada and those with less than high-school education.
Students can expect to:
- Learn the skills necessary to excel in this field, including occupational health and safety training
- Gain transferable credentials, such as First Aid and CPR, FoodSafe, Serving it Right and WHMIS (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System).
- Have access to financial support to cover, or partially cover, costs such as online learning, child-care, and transportation.
- Benefit from paid work experience placements.
- Be matched with an employer upon successfully completing the course.
Information about eligibility criteria and frequently asked questions can be found here (link to Become a Home Health Companion or Hospitality Worker page).
Click here to download our printable poster which can be shared with your clients (to be completed).
Information for Newcomers to Canada
This program may be well suited to newcomers to Canada who have an interest in the health care field provided that they have a Standardized English language proficiency test overall score equivalent to CLB 5 or above (for applicants whose first language is not English). Click here to download an informational poster. Within weeks your clients could be earning pay and benefits as you build a health care career in Canada.
Please contact our Learning and Employment Skills Facilitator at programs@engageseniors.ca for more information.
Partner with the HaIL Training Program
The program will be delivered in three geographical regions (Interior, Island and Lower Mainland) to cohorts of 25 students.
If you are a home health care or independent living employer please email our Learning and Employment Skills Facilitator at programs@engageseniors.ca. Industry partners will be asked to offer paid on the job training for employees.