Access granted: IH celebrates its largest HCAP graduate cohort

May 1, 2024
Mei encourages others considering Health Career Access Program (HCAP) to commit to it and enjoy the journey.

Yanmei (Mei) Chen never thought she was cut out for a job in health care. The former educator from China, who immigrated to Canada in 2020, was skeptical about changing careers later in life. But the financial pressures of the pandemic on her family eventually compelled her to make a change.

Mei heard about the Health Career Access Program (HCAP), a government-funded initiative launched in 2020 that provides a path for applicants with little to no experience in the health sector to get hired and receive paid training as part of their employment. The Kelowna resident said she sent a letter to Interior Health to “test the waters.”

“I was amazed I got an email back,” she says. “I couldn’t believe there was a program that let you retrain while paying you a salary.”

Interior Health (IH), like all B.C.’s health authorities, has been involved in the program since the beginning, and in March reached a milestone with our largest ever cohort of HCAP graduates — a whopping 73.

The graduates are spread across IH’s four regions: East Kootenay (19), Kootenay Boundary (17), Thompson Cariboo Shuswap (11) and the Okanagan (26). They're now ready to begin their new careers as health-care assistants at various IH or contracted or private sites or facilities.

Stories@IH

Read our latest stories

4 Minute Read
Health & Wellness

A new set of tools, resources and training for emergency department staff that supports those at risk of suicide is expected to save lives.

5 Minute Read
Community & Culture, Health & Wellness

Summer BBQs are fun but keep in mind - warmer temperatures can turn your feast into a fast-track to food poisoning if you’re not careful. Learn how to avoid it!

6 Minute Read
Community & Culture

Recruitment Assistants team lead Courtney Ruddiman has a background in business management and joined Interior Health in 2020 as an administrative assistant.

4 Minute Read
Health & Wellness

Keep you and your loved ones safe with these tips to prevent drowning when enjoying water activities.

3 Minute Read
Community & Culture

Chantal’s path to health care was shaped by a deep desire to help others through some of their hardest moments.

4 Minute Read
Community & Culture

SCHF supports 100 Mile House & District General Hospital and health facilities, health projects, and the well-being of health-care providers & patients.

STAY CONNECTED

Receive news and alert posts, and Stories@IH blog posts, right to your inbox!

mail