Knowledge Helps to Build a Strong Team 

Our Strategic Direction: Secure well-trained staff who are recognized for their work and contributions

Thanks to a partnership between Wing Kei, Alberta Health Services and NorQuest College, 29 students received training to become certified Health Care Aides (HCA) in summer 2009. As an integral part of the frontline care team, HCAs provide personal and health care to residents at Wing Kei. 

The eight-month training program combined theoretical teaching with hands on experience. Instructors from NorQuest College taught the classes, Alberta Health Services provided financial support and Wing Kei offered tutoring, mentoring, job shadowing and practical skill development to students. 

Of the 29 students, 27 continue to work at Wing Kei today. One of them, Doris Kwan, shares that her motivation to join the program came from an ambition to learn and the passion to help seniors. “I learned a lot from my grandmother’s experience in long term care,” says Doris. “I know that I can affect change and make a difference in a resident’s life.” 
Doris now splits her time between her duties as an HCA and working as a scheduler for Wing Kei’s busy home care program. Initially uncertain about how her HCA training would benefit scheduling, she now recognizes its value noting that the training gave her the knowledge to make good decisions when matching home care clients and HCAs. 

Throughout the training program, Wing Kei Education Coordinator Liping Fei was a strong advocate and supporter of the students, providing tutoring and mentorship. The entire class graduated with high marks thanks, in part, to Liping’s coaching. “I could see that the students’ approaches changed as the training went on. They became more effective and efficient. I am so glad that we were able to support their goals and help them to build a good career with us.”