Local vocational centre tackles Quebec’s healthcare worker shortage
By William Crooks
Local Journalism Initiative
In response to Quebec’s escalating shortage of healthcare workers, the Lennoxville Vocational Training Centre (LVTC) is implementing innovative training programs to bolster the province’s healthcare workforce. Director Diane Lavers detailed these initiatives in a recent interview, highlighting LVTC’s commitment to addressing the pressing need for qualified healthcare professionals.
A growing crisis in healthcare staffing
Quebec’s healthcare system is grappling with a severe shortage of nurses and support staff. According to a report by the Montreal Economic Institute, the province is facing a deficit of 4,000 nurses, with projections indicating that this shortage could escalate to 28,000 by 2026. The issue is further compounded by a significant exodus of young nurses. Montreal CityNews reports that for every 100 new nurses entering the profession, approximately 43 leave before reaching the age of 35. Contributing factors include challenging working conditions, heavy workloads, and emotional strain.
LVTC’s proactive training programs
To combat this crisis, LVTC has launched several targeted programs aimed at training and retaining healthcare workers. One notable initiative is the PAB-FAMT project (Préposés aux Bénéficiaires – Formation Accrue en Milieu de Travail), developed in collaboration with the Centre intégré universitaire de santé et de services sociaux de l’Estrie – Centre hospitalier universitaire de Sherbrooke (CIUSSS de l’Estrie – CHUS) and regional school boards. This program offers simultaneous employment and training for individuals pursuing careers as préposés aux bénéficiaires (PABs) or caregivers.
“They would hire the person, then if there’s Lennoxville that gives the course, the Institutional and Home Care Assistance (ICA) course in English and in French, I’ll use bilingual,” Lavers explained. This approach allowed students to begin their training without waiting for large cohorts to form, facilitating continuous entry and individualized learning paths.
During the program’s tenure, LVTC trained over 90 students in Lennoxville and an additional 20 to 25 students at a satellite campus in Granby, established to serve the western sector. However, due to recent budget cuts, the PAB-FAMT project concluded, prompting LVTC to adapt its strategies.
