The Manitoba government is helping train more health-care professionals by investing in Red River College Polytechnic's (RRC Polytech) Interdisciplinary Health and Community Services Simulation Centre, Advanced Education and Training Minister Renée Cable and Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care Minister Asagwara announced on November 18.
"Rebuilding health care in Manitoba is our government's number one priority," said Cable. "This new training centre will provide Manitoba students the hands-on training they need to deliver the highest level of care when they enter the workforce. I'd like to thank Red River College Polytechnic for being a great partner and delivering state-of-the-art training right here in our province."
As part of Budget 2024, the province provided $6 million in capital funding for the simulation centre at RRC Polytech's Notre Dame campus as well as $1 million in annual funding to support the operations and maintenance.
"Together, with our partners at RRC Polytech, we're ensuring that the future of health care in Manitoba is in good hands," said Asagwara. "Innovative learning opportunities guarantee that future generations of health-care workers are well-equipped to offer top-quality care to Manitobans. I look forward to seeing how the centre improves students' education and how as a result, Manitoba continues to be a top choice for folks wanting to study and work in health care."
When it's complete, the new facility will act as a training location for a range of professions including nurses, health-care aides, paramedics, laboratory and diagnostic technologists, and workers in community services and disability training programs. It will feature equipment and technology that reflect real health-care settings and simulate situations encountered on the job. The space will be ready for launch in 2025, noted Cable.
"The opening of the Interdisciplinary Health and Community Services Simulation Centre at RRC Polytech is an exciting new frontier in how we can better train and prepare students for careers in health-care facilities throughout Manitoba," said Fred Meier, president and CEO, RRC Polytech. "Beginning in January, the simulation centre will train thousands of students per year with modern digital simulation technology and equipment, allowing students to work together in various real-world scenarios and building skills and confidence to be ready to be a part of any working health-care team when they graduate. "
Investments in education are key to training more health-care and community-service workers and will support the government's efforts to hire 1,000 new health-care professionals this year, added Cable.
