The classroom part of the HCAAP will be online and presented by knowledgeable instructors from NorQuest College. Labs and work experience take place in-person and on-site at a continuing care centre operated by one of our participating organizations.

Most continuing care centres are home to older adults who benefit from consistent care. Continuing care residents have cognitive or physical challenges. Continuing care centres offer a comfortable, safe, and social space for residents to live. Health Care Aides are the primary workforce in continuing care centres, getting to know and build relationships with residents.

In the HCA Apprenticeship Program (HCAAP) you will:

  • Earn while you learn by getting paid from the very first day of the program.

  • Have no tuition fees because all your tuition costs are covered by the program. There is a return-to-service agreement which means that you will need to work at the organization that you are taking the program through for a minimum of 1500 hours following graduation. This is in exchange for the organization paying your tuition fees. You will be paid while you are taking the HCAAP program and throughout the return-to-service period.

  • Receive wrap around support from your tutors, instructor, and the care team to ensure you have the theory, on-the-job training, and hands-on experience to help you succeed.

There are four main parts to our program:

Apply

Get a sense of the work

  • Begin a three-week full-time orientation program on-site at a continuing care centre operated by one of our participating organizations. The orientation is led by skilled tutors and includes time in the classroom and on the unit. You will observe HCAs in the work environment and safely participate in some aspects of the work. This will give you a very good idea of the day-to-day relationships and tasks of HCAs.

  • Apply to the HCA program at NorQuest College. The tutors will help you with this.

Learn and earn

  • Work as an HCA In-Training with the organization where you did the orientation. You will work a minimum of 0.3 FTE and a maximum of 0.7 FTE. You will be paid for your work.

  • Take on-line classes through NorQuest College. There are a total of six courses, each approximately six weeks long. There is an exam at the end of each course. You will not need to travel to take the classes—all lessons and training happen online or at the site of employment.

  • Participate in labs with the tutor at the site where you are working. This is so you can safely and comfortably practice what you learn in the online classes.

  • You will be studying and working at the same time for ten to twelve months. You will need to plan this time carefully to make sure you are able to do both.

Certify and celebrate

  • Complete and pass the NorQuest College courses.

  • Register for and take the provincial HCA exam.

  • Become a certified HCA.

  • Celebrate your achievements with your family, friends, and colleagues!