How to get the Health Career Access Program (HCAP)

Program Overview

You get hired first, as a health care support worker with a health authority or a care home. Your employer sends you to a college health care assistant program; the province pays the tuition and books and you keep earning. After you graduate you work 12 months for that employer.

• Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
• No health care assistant certificate yet.
• FoodSafe and Standard First Aid with CPR before you start; a $342 stipend helps pay for them.
• You meet the college's entry rules, including English.

• 100 percent of tuition and books.
• A wage as a health care support worker while you train.
• $342 toward the two prerequisite courses.
• A health care assistant job with your employer when you finish.

1. 1

   Submit an expression of interest on the province's HCAP site.

   Submit Expression of Interest
2. 2

   Employers in your region invite you to apply and interview.

3. 3

   Accept the job and sign the 12-month return-of-service agreement.

4. 4

   Finish FoodSafe and first aid, then start the college program your employer enrols you in.

5. 5

   Graduate, register with the Care Aide Registry, and work your 12 months.

   BC Care Aide Registry

• No deadline. Expressions of interest are taken all year; employers contact you when they have openings in your area.

Official Sources & Verification