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High school students and adult learners in the Central Plains region will soon have a new opportunity to start a career in health care. Red River College Polytechnic is launching its Health Care Aide program in Treherne beginning January 26, 2026.
The six-month program will offer 25 seats and is open to both mature students and Grade 12 students through a dual credit option, allowing high schoolers to graduate with both their diploma and Health Care Aide certificate.
The program is the result of a partnership between RRC Polytech, Prairie Mountain Health, Southern Health-Santé Sud, and the Norfolk Treherne Community Development Corporation.
“Southern Health-Santé Sud is proud to collaborate with RRC Polytech and our community partners to bring this vital training opportunity to the region,” said Kathryn Reimer, Manager, Recruitment & Retention at Southern Health-Santé Sud. “By investing in local talent, we’re not only supporting our healthcare system but also empowering individuals to build meaningful careers close to home.”
“This program is a true example of what can be achieved through partnership,” added Guy Moffat, regional campus manager for RRC Polytech’s Portage campus. “Together with Prairie Mountain Health, Southern Health-Santé Sud, and Norfolk Treherne Community Development Corporation, we’re creating opportunities that benefit both individuals and the broader community.”
Treherne selected to meet regional demand
The new offering was developed to address labour shortages in the region and expand access to health care education.
“There was a need identified for Health Care Aide programming in that entire region,” Moffat notes. “It’s also a great fit because of the way the health regions are carved out. Treherne is in Prairie Mountain, and some of the surrounding communities we’re hoping to draw students from are in Southern Health. It’s a coordinated effort between both health authorities.”
Helping students get a head start
The program offers a significant opportunity for local high school students to graduate with real-world qualifications.
“Having information sessions with the high schools in that area sooner than later is very important,” Moffat continues. “Students who are interested are going to have to get all of their mandatory credits completed in the fall term.”
He explains that the five credits earned from the program will be added to the students’ transcripts, and they’ll finish high school with a certified Health Care Aide credential.
Hands-on learning through clinical placement
In addition to classroom instruction, students will complete three weeks of practicum in acute care and another three weeks in long-term care.
That portion of the training required careful planning.
“In order to ensure that we had enough practicum spots available, I reached out to Kathryn Reimer at Southern Health-Santé Sud,” Moffat remarks. “She looped in her partner from Prairie Mountain Health, and that’s how we got things going.”
Taking education to rural communities
The Treherne launch is part of RRC Polytech’s wider effort to deliver education where it’s needed most.
“I’m really excited that Portage campus is able to extend our reach outside of the city of Portage,” adds Moffat. “It’s part of what we are in this area to do, and we’re excited to look at programming and be able to take learning to the student rather than asking students to come to our learning.”
Information sessions will be held this fall in Treherne, Glenboro, Notre Dame de Lourdes, and St. Claude.
Dates and locations will be announced soon.
Prospective students can visit rrc.ca/portage/programs to learn more.
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