From Experience to Opportunity: Surinder Singh and Sumeet Arora’s HCA Journey at Kootenay Columbia College
Every career path begins with a reason. For Surinder Singh and Sumeet Arora, graduates of the Health Care Assistant program at Kootenay Columbia College, that reason was a mix of personal experience, long-term ambition, and the growing demand for healthcare professionals in Canada. Today, they have completed their program and are moving forward with confidence toward careers in the healthcare field.
Their journey reflects what many students across British Columbia experience: starting with uncertainty and finding clarity, direction, and purpose through the right education.
A Personal Start in Caregiving
For Surinder, the healthcare journey began long before enrolling in the program.
Growing up, he spent much of his time with his grandparents while his father worked long hours. During that time, he naturally took on responsibilities, helping with medications, assisting with daily routines, and supporting their overall care.
That early experience stayed with him. What once felt like a responsibility became a skillset, and eventually, a career path.
After coming to Canada, Surinder recognized the opportunity to turn that experience into something meaningful. With healthcare in high demand, the decision to pursue the Health Care Assistant program felt both practical and purposeful.
Sumeet’s path was shaped by a long-term goal. He had always wanted to become a doctor, but after moving to Canada, he realized the financial and practical challenges of pursuing that path immediately. The HCA program became a strategic first step, an entry point into the healthcare system that would allow him to build experience while working toward his future goals.
Choosing the Right Environment
Both Surinder and Sumeet chose Kootenay Columbia College based on its strong reputation.
Friends and peers who had studied at the college spoke highly of the instructors, the supportive staff, and the overall learning environment. That feedback played an important role in their decision.
From the beginning, they found an environment that was welcoming and encouraging, one where students felt comfortable asking questions, building skills, and growing both academically and personally.
Learning That Builds Confidence
As the program progressed, their confidence grew alongside their knowledge.
A key part of their experience was their instructor, Simran, who they described as dedicated, knowledgeable, and supportive. Her teaching approach made complex topics easier to understand and created a positive learning environment for students from diverse backgrounds.
Like many international students, they were balancing multiple responsibilities, work, studies, and life in a new country. Having an instructor who understood those challenges made a meaningful difference.
From Classroom to Real Care Settings
One of the most important parts of their journey came during their clinical placements.
Entering real healthcare environments for the first time can feel overwhelming. However, the training and preparation they received helped them adapt quickly. With the right guidance, they were able to stay calm, apply their knowledge, and build confidence in real-world situations.
These experiences reinforced what they had learned in the classroom and helped them feel ready for the next step in their careers.
Looking Ahead
For both students, completing the HCA program is not the end, it is the beginning.
Surinder plans to continue building his career in healthcare, focusing on growth, stability, and long-term success. Sumeet remains committed to his goal of becoming a doctor, using his experience in the HCA program as a strong foundation.
Their shared mindset reflects a simple but powerful idea: success comes from consistency, effort, and belief in oneself.
A Message for Future Students
For anyone considering the Health Care Assistant program, their journey offers a clear takeaway.
Starting something new can feel uncertain, but with the right support and environment, that uncertainty turns into confidence. The program not only teaches skills, but it also helps students believe in their ability to succeed.
About the Health Care Assistant Program at Kootenay Columbia College
The Health Care Assistant program at Kootenay Columbia College is a 24-week, PTIRU-approved program designed to prepare students for entry into British Columbia’s healthcare sector.
Students build a strong foundation through courses such as Concepts for Practice, Interpersonal Communications, and Common Health Challenges, while also developing practical skills in Personal Care and Assistance. Additional certifications like CPR (Level C) & First Aid, and FoodSafe Level I, further prepare students for real-world care environments.
A significant portion of the program is dedicated to supervised practice education, with students completing 270 hours of placements in real healthcare settings, including multi-level and complex care facilities and home support environments. As Surinder and Sumeet’s experience shows, these placements are where classroom learning turns into real-world confidence.
Upon graduation, students are qualified to work in multi-level and complex care facilities, acute care hospitals, home support agencies, assisted living residences, group homes, and adult day care programs across British Columbia.
Start Your Health Care Assistant Journey at KCC
Kootenay Columbia College’s HCA program combines clinical training, hands-on practice placements, and a supportive learning environment to prepare graduates for healthcare careers across British Columbia.
