The Nicola Valley Institute of Technology has received $3.4 million from the B.C. government to bring healthcare and technology training programs to students living in rural and remote Indigenous communities.
The money will facilitate the purchase of three mobile training units for the Merritt-based post-secondary institution, which include simulators, beds, computer workstations and multi-media equipment.
These mobile training units will deliver programs equipping students for careers like healthcare assistants, licensed practical nurses and jobs in information technology.
“As B.C.’s only Indigenous-led public post-secondary institution — founded by the five First Nations of the Nicola Valley and fully governed by a First Nations board of governors — NVIT has a mandate to provide post-secondary education and support services to Indigenous students across British Columbia,” said NVIT President Ken Tourand.
“These three new mobile training units allow NVIT to expand our ability to service rural and Indigenous communities throughout B.C. with computer and health-care training.”
According to the B.C. government, NVIT has seen increased demand for IT and healthcare programs in Indigenous communities but securing the resources to bring these programs to remote communities has presented a challenge.