The Health Care Aide dual credit program has been offered to Pembina Hills students since the 2012-2013 school year. Students who complete dual credit programs receive high school credit as well as post-secondary credit. We were able to offer this program because of the previous structures for high school funding.

In March, the Ministry of Education unveiled a new funding formula for 2020-2021. The new system requires school leaders to consider high school programming differently. Unfortunately, the Health Care Aide program will be suspended for at least one year until school and system leaders can be certain that dual credit programs do not adversely affect the regular high school programming as we adjust to the new funding formula.

We appreciate how the Health Care Aide dual credit program has benefited our students as well as our local health care providers. We are proud of the students who have been employed locally as a result, or have used the experience as a stepping stone to additional training in the healthcare field. We are very grateful for the support of local agencies who were essential to the success of these students.

The viability of the program going forward will be reassessed during the division’s planning process next winter. At that time, school leaders will consider the demand and the financial capacity of the system to offer the program.

Students and parents can talk with their school principal or others regarding course selections and program options for 2020-2021.