UNBC has received $103,400 from the provincial government toward the purchase of simulation mannequins that will give health-care students, including nurses, the hands-on experience they need to be prepared for the workplace.

B.C. Advanced Education Minister Andrew Wilkinson announced the funding on Friday, April 1 as he toured UNBC’s School of Nursing.

“The Ministry of Advanced Education is providing health-care students with new equipment to ensure they have hands-on learning opportunities using the latest equipment,” said Wilkinson. “This is one way that our government is working to ensure that students graduate ready for health-care occupations that are in high-demand throughout the North.”

The 2024 Labour Market Outlook projections show that the health-care and social-assistance industry is expected to be among the top five growth sectors in the North Nechako region. Health-care occupations are expected to be among the most in-demand over the next 10 years in British Columbia.

“UNBC is appreciative of the ministry’s continued support for outstanding programming at UNBC, such as nursing,” said UNBC President Dr. Daniel Weeks. “These types of investments help us deliver the training that is needed to educate nurses who will make their careers in the North, contributing to the social, economic and culture sustainability of the region.”