With the shortage of workers only expected to grow in the coming years, one of the best ways to attract new employees to healthcare professions is to focus on the next generation and to do it early.
Almost 200 area high school students from grades 10 to 12 will learn about the plethora of job opportunities available in healthcare through a special event hosted by the Centre For Workforce Development on Wednesday, October 23.
CFWD Executive Director Sandi Hibbard-Ramsay says the 2024 Healthcare Career Fair will highlight the need for doctors and nurses, as well as roles beyond those professions, that are also in high demand.
“Pharmacists, laboratory technicians, ultrasound and x-ray technicians, physiotherapists, recreational therapists, ambulatory work. In fact, we’re going to have a total of 23 different types of disciplines within the health sector.”
Sixteen of those disciplines are being represented by Quinte Health which is hosting the event at its Education and Training Centre located at Belleville General Hospital.
Seven outside groups will also participate including Loyalist College promoting its healthcare programs, Hastings Prince Edward Public Health, and Quinte midwives.
Hibbard-Ramsay says Hastings-Prince Edward and Lennox & Addington is in particular need of healthcare workers.
“The national average for an area of our size is 8,047 jobs. Meanwhile, in our region, we need to fulfill 9,161 positions here and that’s currently right now in 2024.”
Students from Hastings Prince Edward District School Board, Algonquin Lakeshore Catholic District School Board, Albert College, Marc Garneau Secondary School and Sir James Whitney will attend the invitation-only event.
