Ontario has opened more spaces at provincial colleges to increase the number of paramedics in the workforce.
More than 300 spaces in paramedic programs have been added at provincial colleges across Ontario this year, including several in Northern Ontario.
“There is a significant demand for paramedics in communities across the province, and our government is making it as easy as possible for those who want to train and work in this important profession,” said Health Minister Sylvia Jones.
The expansion will help ease a shortage in paramedics, Colleges and Universities Minister Jill Dunlop.
“These new spots will play a critical role in addressing the current shortage of paramedics by preparing more highly-skilled health care professionals to enter the workforce,” Dunlop said.
As well, the newly expanded Ontario Learn and Stay Grant will provide students studying in the first year of a paramedic program in 2023-2024 at select post-secondary institutions with funding for free tuition, books, compulsory fees and other direct educational costs. After graduating, students will need to work in the same region they studied for a minimum of six months for every full year of study funded by the grant.
The expanded paramedic program is being offered at the following Ontario colleges:
- Algonquin College
- Cambrian College
- Centennial College
- Collège Boréal
- Collège La Cité
- Conestoga College
- Confederation College
- Durham College
- Fanshawe College
- Georgian College
- Lambton College
- Northern College
- St. Clair College, and
- St. Lawrence College.
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