The College of New Caledonia (CNC) is creating new opportunities for learners interested in healthcare careers through the development of the new Health Sciences Discovery Pathway, a tuition-free preparatory program planned for delivery beginning in Fall 2026.
Supported through a one-time contribution of $197,364 from the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills, the new pathway is designed to help learners build confidence, strengthen academic readiness, and explore healthcare career options before entering competitive health science programs.
The Health Sciences Discovery Pathway was developed in response to an identified need to better support learners interested in healthcare careers who may benefit from additional preparation before entering post-secondary health science education.
The one-year, cohort-based pathway is intended to support a range of learners, including Indigenous learners, adult upgrading students, mature learners returning to education, and individuals interested in healthcare careers who may not yet feel ready to enter a direct-entry health science program.
Through hands-on learning opportunities, Indigenous cultural learning, and healthcare career exploration, students will gain practical experience and a better understanding of the many healthcare pathways available at CNC and beyond.
The pathway is also designed to reduce barriers to healthcare education through tuition-free access, low student fees, and embedded pre-admission readiness components such as CPR “C,” Criminal Record Check (CRC), SPECO, and Violence Prevention training. Eligible students may also qualify for Adult Upgrading Grant (AUG) funding support.
Healthcare professionals continue to be in high demand across British Columbia, with approximately 199,200 projected healthcare and social assistance job openings by 2035.
“Healthcare careers are essential to the strength and wellbeing of our communities, particularly across Northern British Columbia,” said Wendy Male, Dean, Human Services, University Transfer, and Business Studies .
“The Health Sciences Discovery Pathway creates an opportunity for learners to build confidence, explore different career options, and develop the foundational skills they need before entering health science programs. We know that not every learner follows the same pathway, and this program recognizes and supports that reality.”
“Our government is committed to training and expanding our healthcare workforce so everyone in B.C. can access the care they need, when and where they need it,” said Jessie Sunner, Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills.
“The College of New Caledonia's new Health Sciences Discovery Pathway gives people a clear and supported starting point into healthcare careers. It helps students build confidence, gain hands-on experience, and explore their options before choosing a specific path, so they can succeed in training and go on to provide the health care people in their communities need.”
Students participating in the program will have the opportunity to explore healthcare career options before committing to a specific profession, helping them make informed decisions about their future education and career goals.
Interested in learning more? Attend the upcoming information session on Tuesday, June 23 in the Future Student Presentation Room (1-723), 5 pm – 7pm at the Prince George campus. RSVP by Friday, June 19 for a chance to win an Apple Watch.
For more information, check out the press release.