Certified Health Care Aide Bridging Program

Yes. Much of the training is available online. Some programs may have requirements to attend on-line classes at a certain time, and skills labs and the clinical practicum will need to be done in person. Your employer will provide you with the required time off to attend skills labs and the clinical practicum.

Approved Bridging Programs will have the following minimal requirements:

• 192 hours of virtual learning and in-person skills labs (16 hours per week for 12 weeks combined virtual learning and skills labs).
  • Combination of virtual learning and in-person skills lab.
  • Access to an instructor 7 days per week.
    • Instructor availability hours must be provided to all students at the start of the term.
    • Students must expect to receive a response from the instructor within one business day.

• 24 hours of in-person unpaid skills labs.
  • 3 skills labs (one full day every second week) held at the educational institution.
• 96 hours of self-study (approximately 8 hours per week for 3 months with access to an instructor 7 days per week)
• 80 hour (2-week) clinical practicum

Funding is available for eligible uncertified health care aides to complete an approved bridging program. You may be eligible for the full tuition costs if:

• You enroll in an approved program; and
• You meet the criteria for financial assistance established by Workforce Training and Employment (WTE), a division of Manitoba Economic Development, Investment and Trade (EDIT).

You will be responsible for incidental costs, including but not limited to: books and supplies that are not included in the cost of tuition, living expenses, child care, and transportation.

Yes, your HCA Trainee (UHCA position) converts to an HCA position upon successful completion of the Bridging Program.

You will be asked to complete a return of service commitment equivalent to annual full-time hours of employment (2015 hours for most employers).

You will complete your return of service commitment within the Personal Care Home or Home Care sector in Manitoba. Upon completion of the return of service commitment, you will be able to work as a health care aide in a location including, but not limited to, a Personal Care Home or Home Care.

Please read through this information carefully.

You will be asked to provide information through our Online Form above that will be reviewed to determine if you meet the eligibility criteria. You will be contacted for any additional information that may be required.

If you have previously received financial assistance for a different program, you may not be eligible for financial assistance.

You must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.

Please ensure that you are ready to commit to this opportunity including the time required to successfully complete the training.

Yes. The difference is that with this training opportunity, you may be eligible for tuition assistance. You will also have the opportunity to work while attending training. In return, you are asked to complete a return of service commitment in a Personal Care Home or Home Care upon successful completion of the training.

For Personal Care Homes, you will have the option of securing a casual position for which you have the required qualifications or you may choose to resign.

For Home Care, you will continue in the permanent position to which you have been hired but will continue to be paid at the UHCA rate of pay.