Manitoba Expands Training for Lab and X-Ray Technologists

The province of Manitoba is increasing the number of students eligible to train as combined laboratory and X-ray technologists, addressing critical staffing shortages in rural and northern areas. Starting in January, an additional five training spots will be available at Saskatchewan Polytechnic, as announced by Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara on Tuesday.

This initiative aims to enhance healthcare services in rural hospitals, where cross-trained technologists provide essential lab testing, general radiography, and electrocardiogram services. The provincial government will invest $178,270 for the 2025-26 fiscal year to support this expansion.

Investment in Local Training and Service

To facilitate the training, Shared Health will offer return-of-service agreements to students accepted into the program. This arrangement will cover tuition and academic expenses in exchange for a commitment of 5,000 hours, which equates to approximately three years of service in Manitoba following graduation. This strategy is intended to ensure that rural and regional healthcare facilities benefit directly from the province’s investment in training.

The announcement of these five additional seats serves as an interim solution while Assiniboine College prepares to launch its own program, which will offer 20 seats beginning in September 2027. The college is currently undertaking capital upgrades, equipment installations, and obtaining necessary regulatory approvals. Once operational, this local program will reduce Manitoba’s dependence on out-of-province training resources.

Asagwara emphasized the importance of building local capacity, stating, “By working with advanced education and training, we’re actually doing the work by standing up this training in Manitoba.”

Addressing Staffing Shortages in Healthcare

The need for additional training is underscored by the current staffing challenges faced within the province. According to the president of the Manitoba Association of Health Care Professionals, nearly 20 percent of lab and X-ray technician positions in Manitoba remain unfilled. Jason Linklater welcomed the announcement, noting, “This will certainly benefit rural communities that depend on those services to keep rural ERs open. It is the kind of initiative that we’ve been asking them to implement.”

Linklater also highlighted a broader issue, mentioning that there are approximately 1,000 vacant allied health positions in Manitoba. He urged the government to consider similar initiatives for other critical fields such as respiratory therapy, MRI, and paramedic training, which also face significant staffing gaps.

This expansion marks a significant step toward addressing healthcare needs in Manitoba, as the province seeks to bolster its workforce and enhance service delivery in underserved areas. The commitment to training local professionals is expected to have lasting benefits for rural healthcare infrastructure.