Sask. Polytechnic Prince Albert (file photo/paNOW Staff)

By Derek Craddock

HEALTH CARE COOKS

Sask. Polytechnic and SHA proud of partnership to train healthcare cooks in P.A.

Oct 26, 2022 | 9:00 AM

A partnership between the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) and Saskatchewan Polytechnic to train healthcare cooks has proven successful thus far.

The Health Care Cook program helps train students in general cooking skills, menu planning, nutrition, and kitchen operations. The program is designed to prepare cooks for work in healthcare settings, such as hospitals, long-term care homes, personal care homes and private care facilities.

“With students now being taught ways to incorporate traditional and local foodways into that planning is really exciting,” Stephanie Cook, executive director of Nutrition and Food Services for the SHA, said. “Developing this type of program would not have been possible without Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s help so we’re looking forward to seeing graduates go through the program and straight into the healthcare workforce.”

Leanne McFarland, program head for the Health Care Cooks program, said the program is in its second year and only offered in two locations: Moose Jaw and Prince Albert. McFarland said there is a major benefit to having the program in these smaller locations.

“Those are generally the locations where the Saskatchewan Health Authority is looking for cooks to fill their positions that they currently have open,” she said. “By having the programs offered in these smaller areas, it allows people to potentially gain employment where they currently live or go to another small town in the area where they have openings as well. It helps get people into available jobs into places where there is need.”

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Sask Polytechnic works collaboratively with the SHA to make sure students are well-trained to be a part of a healthcare team, including the cooking skills and nutrition knowledge needed for these settings. McFarland said this partnership allows students to find work right away,

“Essentially, the Health Authority came to us with a challenge of how to train their employees in the nutrition and special diets area and we came up with a program to let that happen,” she said. “The Health Authority helps us place these students in locations where there is a need, and they can potentially end up with a job immediately after graduation. It’s a win-win for both sides.”

The SHA recently undertook an initiative to learn about local Indigenous foodways and how the organization can better address the health and healing needs of Métis and First Nations patients, clients and residents through food. This initiative was made possible through support from a team of SHA partners, including First Nations and Métis Health and patient family partners.

The course has 24 seats on the Moose Jaw campus and 12 in Prince Albert. They are currently accepting applications for the start of the next program in September 2023.

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derek.craddock@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @PA_Craddock