Earlier this week, the Manitoba government announced that it will be adding 14 training seats for paramedics through a new direct-entry Primary Care Paramedics program at RRC Polytech.
MGEU welcomes the government’s commitment to increasing training seats for paramedics, but stresses that expanding training capacity is only the first step in addressing the staffing crisis. Ensuring paramedics stay in the profession is just as critical as training new ones.
“We are encouraged to see the government taking action to address the crisis facing Manitoba’s paramedics,” said MGEU President Kyle Ross. “However, adding training seats isn’t enough on its own. We need targeted recruitment efforts to ensure those seats are filled and that new graduates are supported so they can build long-term careers here.”
MGEU represents more than 350 paramedics in Winnipeg, where ongoing short staffing is leading to burnout and a growing number of workers considering leaving the profession altogether.
“Training and hiring paramedics is only one part of the solution,” continued Ross. “More needs to be done to address the day-to-day challenges these workers face, including on-the-job violence and chronic burnout, issues that are pushing paramedics to consider leaving the profession.”
Ross added that MGEU looks forward to working with the province and the City of Winnipeg to ensure Winnipeg’s paramedics have the support they need to continue providing critical care for Manitobans.