Virtual program will help underrepresented young people succeed in the health care sector
TORONTO — The Ontario government is investing more than $900,000 in free virtual training and work experience for 50 students who want to start careers in science or engineering. This project will focus on helping underrepresented groups including women, persons with disabilities, racialized individuals, and Indigenous peoples, who have been disproportionally impacted by COVID-19.
Details were provided today by Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development, joined by his Parliamentary Assistant, Jane McKenna.
“Young people, especially those from underrepresented communities, deserve a hand up to help them overcome the barriers they face,” said Minister McNaughton. “This free training, and the job placements that come with it, will give students the skills and experience they need to start careers alongside those who have played a crucial role in this pandemic and will continue to do so long after we beat this virus.”
Developed by the Medical Technology Association of Canada (Medtech), Ontario’s first Virtual Clinical Immersion Training program will provide students aged 18-29 with 22 weeks of training and work experience without having to be physically on site. This format opens up access to people across the province, including those in rural areas who might otherwise not be able to participate.
Participants will gain hands-on experience through simulated medical scenarios, like a virtual operating room, where they will observe health care teams in action as they make decisions about patient care, treatment and selection of technology and equipment in a clinical setting. These simulations will get participants ready to work in their field, and prepare them to work with medical devices and software as well as medical instruments used in surgeries.
“The pandemic has underscored the need for a strong medical technology (MedTech) industry from both human health and economic perspectives,” said Brian Lewis, President and CEO of Medtech Canada. “The Virtual Clinical Immersion Training (VCIT) program will play an integral role to ensure that MedTech companies have access to world-leading talent in Ontario and we commend the Ford government for its commitment to the MedTech sector by supporting this initiative through the Skills Development Fund.”
Job placements will be virtual or in-person to meet the needs of partipants, and will be offered through local medical technology employers. They will include positions such as data engineer, biosensor researcher, data/AI scientists and medical device evaluators, leading to potential long-term employment opportunities.
Training will take place from November 1, 2021, to March 31, 2022. Applications for the program will open October 1, 2021.
Quick Facts
- Young people have faced elevated unemployment rates during COVID-19; the April 2021 unemployment rate for Ontario youth aged 15 to 24 was over 20 per cent.
- Postsecondary students between ages 18-29, who are in the final year of their science or engineering degree (Bachelors, Masters, or PhD) and looking to pursue a career in the medical technology industry can get more information and apply by contacting Brian Lewis, President and CEO, Medtech Canada at blewis@medtechcanada.org or 647-627-6473.
- Medtech developed this program in partnership with Ryerson University, Unity Health Toronto and Sheridan College.
- The funding comes as part of the government’s $115-million Skills Development Fund to address challenges to hiring, training and retraining workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, and is part of the province’s 2021 Budget, Ontario’s Action Plan: Protecting People’s Health and Our Economy.
- In 2020, an average of 870,000 people were working in Ontario’s health care and social assistance sector. This sector contributed $47 billion to Ontario’s economic output last year, accounting for 6.6 per cent of Ontario’s real gross domestic product (GDP).
- As part of the 2021 Budget, Ontario continues to support workers hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic by investing an additional $614.3 million during 2020–21 and 2021–22 to provide targeted employment and training supports.
SOURCE Province of Ontario
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