CNA programs recognized by Canadian Forces
7/27/2011 9:30:03 AM
Primary Care Paramedicine students at College of the North Atlantic (CNA) can turn a college diploma into a career in the military now that the program is recognized by the Canadian Forces (CF).
Students who meet military entrance requirements can receive a salary while they study and have their education costs paid by the CF. After graduation they can enter the Forces with advanced standing.
Cyril Organ, vice president of Academics and Learner Services at CNA, sees the recognition as confirmation of the quality of the college’s programs.
“The Canadian Forces sets the bar very high for their medical technicians and we’re proud that our Primary Care Paramedicine program meets their standards,” he says. “This opens up new career opportunities for our students and helps them enter the workforce without the burden of student debt.”
The recognition is the result of a coordinated effort between the Association of Canadian Community Colleges (ACCC) and the Canadian Defence Academy, which leads education and professional development for the CF.
“The Canadian Defence Academy came to ACCC in 2008 to determine which colleges have programs that meet the basic trade and technological training requirements for the CF,” says Paul Toupin, manager of the Canadian Partnerships Division at ACCC. “Since then we’ve been helping them identify college programs that align with their occupational training requirements.
Under the CF’s Non-Commissioned Member Subsidized Education Plan (NCM-SEP) students and potential students can earn a salary and receive funding to cover their education costs. In return they must commit to serve for a specified period, usually two months for every month of subsidy. Basic military training and on-the-job training can be completed during the summer months.
Including Primary Care Paramedicine, College of the North Atlantic now has four programs that are recognized by the Canadian Forces.
Graduates from the Cook program can complete their apprenticeships with the CF, and Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Technicians can serve as aviation systems technicians. Graduates of the General Electronics Engineering Technology program can join the military as aerospace telecommunication and information systems technicians. Recognition for the Aircraft Structural Repair Technician program is pending approval, and may be added to the list later this year.
Primary Care Paramedicine is a 37-week program offered at the Bay St. George and Prince Philip Drive campuses. For more information or to apply, visit www.cna.nl.ca.
Media Contact:
Gina MacArthur
Public Relations Specialist
College of the North Atlantic
Ph: 709-643-7928
gina.macarthur@cna.nl.ca