“I first heard about the health care aid program from Island Health / Evergreen Seniors home. They shared information about the funded training opportunities for health care aides. When I learned more about the program, I felt hopeful because it offered a chance to build real skills and work toward a meaningful career. I am very grateful to Island Health / Evergreen Seniors Home for providing this opportunity and for supporting students like me who want to improve their lives through education. Without this support, it would have been much more difficult for me to take part in the health care aid program.

Returning to school came with both challenges and successes. At first, adjusting to a learning schedule, managing coursework, and balancing responsibilities was not easy. However, as time went on, I gained confidence in myself and my abilities. I successfully learned new skills, met program requirements, and pushed through moments when things felt overwhelming. Being back in school reminded me that I am capable of growth and learning, and it was rewarding to see my hard work pay off.

Taking the health care aid program has opened an opportunity for a long-term career in healthcare with Island Health / Evergreen Seniors home. With this training, I now have skills that are in demand and can confidently thrive as a health care aid. This has also created positive financial changes for me, including increased income and greater job security. These changes also have a meaningful impact on my family by reducing stress and allowing me to better support them. Overall, the health care aid program has helped me build a stronger future, and I am thankful for the opportunity and support that made this possible.”

“I first learned about the Healthcare Assistant Program through Ocean Front village website in the career section where it was advertised. It immediately caught my eye as I had been seeking a career path that allowed me to directly help others, and the healthcare field resonated deeply with my desire to make a positive impact.

I am incredibly grateful for your generous funding, which made my participation in this program possible. Your support has been important in providing me with the education and training necessary to pursue a fulfilling career in healthcare. Without your contribution, this life-changing opportunity would not have been within my reach as I couldn’t afford the tuition fees by myself.

My experience in the Healthcare Assistant program with Discovery College Community (DCC) has been successful and transformative. The curriculum was comprehensive, covering essential skills such as patient care, vital signs monitoring, and infection control, all taught by experienced and dedicated instructors. The hands-on training in the college’s simulation labs provided a safe and practical environment to hone my skills. DCC fostered a strong sense of community and teamwork among students, preparing us for the collaborative nature of healthcare settings. This program has not only equipped me with the knowledge and skills to excel as a healthcare assistant but has also instilled in me a profound sense of confidence and purpose.”

“I first heard about this program while I was working as a housekeeper in a healthcare facility. At that time, I was unsure if I should apply because my previous experience was mainly in the food industry. Moving from food service to healthcare felt like a big step and a major change for me. I had doubts and fears about whether I could succeed in a new field. However, after talking with my friends who are already working in healthcare, I received a lot of encouragement and advice. They shared their experiences and helped me understand that dedication and willingness to learn are very important in this career. Because of their support, I gained confidence and realized that I am ready to challenge myself. I am motivated to begin a new chapter in my life, where I can grow personally and professionally while helping others.

When I started school, it felt very strange at first because I had not been in school for almost eight years. It was a big change for me, and I needed time to adjust to studying again, attending classes, and completing assignments. During the first week, I felt nervous and unsure of myself. However, as time went on, I began to enjoy being back in school, especially because I am very interested and invested in the Health Care Assistant (HCAP) program. There is a lot to learn, and many medical terms to remember, which made me feel overwhelmed at times. Even though it was challenging, I did not give up. With the guidance, patience, and support of my instructor, I slowly started to understand the lessons better. This experience helped me gain confidence and motivated me to keep learning and improving every day.

Now that I have finally finished the HCA HCAP program, I feel very proud and accomplished. Completing this program was not easy, but all the hard work and dedication were worth it. This career provides a stable job, which is very important for my future and for financial security. It will help me support myself and my family and build a better life. More than that, I am happy knowing that this career allows me to help others. I look forward to supporting my community and contributing positively to the healthcare facility where I will be working. This program has opened new opportunities for me, and I am excited to continue growing, learning, and making a difference in people’s lives.”

“I first heard about the Health Care Assistant (HCA) program through my friend and people who encouraged me to take the next step toward a stable career. When I learned about the opportunity, I knew it was something that could truly change my life.I waited for about two years to be accepted into the program. I am very grateful to the funder for making it possible for me to enroll in the HCA Program. Without this support, returning to school would have been much more difficult. This opportunity has allowed me to invest in myself and my future, and I sincerely appreciate the belief and support shown through this program.

Coming back to school was not easy at first. Balancing classes, studying, and personal responsibilities was challenging, especially after being away from school for some time. There were moments when I felt overwhelmed, but I stayed committed and reminded myself why I started. Through hard work, support from instructors, and encouragement from classmates, I gained confidence in my abilities. One of my biggest successes has been proving to myself that I can learn new skills and succeed academically. Being back in school has been a rewarding experience that has helped me grow both personally and professionally.

Completing the HCA Program has opened new doors for employment and a long-term career in healthcare. The program has given me hope, direction, and the chance to build a better life for myself and my loved ones. The impact of this opportunity will be felt not only in my career, but also in the well-being and security of my family. It has also encouraged me to do more school and complete the nursing degree. I am beyond grateful for this opportunity and for the people that have helped provide it to me.”

“My name is Kloey Tabilangan, a Filipino students who graduated from the Health Care Assistant course with Discovery Community College (DCC). My experience was honestly very positive. The teachers are the best, and are always willing to help whenever you’re stuck or unsure about something. They are all very kind and supportive.

One of my favorite teachers is Krystal. She is really nice, and if you don’t know what you’re doing, she will help you, assist you, and make sure you get back on track. Linda is also one of my favorite teachers. She is very kind and explains everything in a way that makes it easy to understand as long as you sit and don’t make any noise, lol.

Overall, DCC made studying much easier and less stressful. I truly enjoyed my time in the program and learned a lot.”

“I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation to my college, Discovery Community College for all the support and encouragement that helped me successfully complete my Health Care Assistant program.  I am especially grateful to Neeru – she is truly the best!  Thank you all for being part of my journey!”

“My name is Lorraine Peña, I recently graduated from Discovery Community College (DCC) as a Health Care Assistant. It was a nine month program with online theory and in-person hands on training. I decided to take this course because I really wanted to help people and this program helped me prepare for that. As soon as I finished the program I got a job right away where I did my practicum.  It’s where I wanted to work, and it’s so close to home. I find this job to be very rewarding. Thank you DCC and BC Care Providers for the support!”

“I learned about the Health Care Assistant (HCA) program through WorkBC, where I was shown a poster promoting the opportunity. I applied and was thrilled to be accepted into the program. It has been a meaningful step toward starting a new career—one that I find both fulfilling and impactful, as it allows me to make a difference in people’s lives.

Returning to school at the age of 63 came with its challenges, particularly with the technology required for an online course. The college-supplied computer did not arrive until several weeks into the program, which made it difficult at first to navigate the digital learning environment. Thankfully, with the support of my classmates and college staff, I was able to overcome these obstacles and became confident in completing assignments and meeting course requirements.

The age gap between myself and the other students was also an adjustment. While many of them enjoyed socializing, I was focused on learning. Over time, however, I grew fond of them all. I even became affectionately known as the “class mom,” often helping to steer conversations back to the curriculum when needed.

With this education, I hope to build a career that is both financially supportive and personally rewarding. I also hope to inspire my adult daughters by showing them that it’s never too late to follow your dreams or start over. I’m proud to say I’ve achieved my goal of becoming a Health Care Assistant.”

“I heard about the Health Care Assistant program through an online post being shared through facebook from a former student, and as I had currently lost my job it seems like a perfect opportunity. This way I could get an education, and a career that could support my family.

Being in online school and returning to school for the first in over a decade was definitely an adjustment. It was great to be part of a larger team atmosphere, and by the time the classes became in person for labs, it quickly became a great fit for everyone it seemed.

This education is going to give my family more stability and myself more career opportunities in an ever changing economy. Where before good jobs were easy to find, the training and experience wasn’t considered transferable. With this course it will be, allowing me to continue finding work for years to come.”