2025 CCA Program (NS-Dartmouth)

Become a CCA in just six months!

Start your career as a Continuing Care Assistant (CCA)! This six-month program provides eligible Nova Scotians with a new career and room to grow with Shannex—a certified Great Place to Work.

Having the right team of Great People is critical to providing great care, and our team is partnering with the Government of Nova Scotia and Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC) to meet the growing need for more skilled professionals in long term care.

The CCA program provides free tuition, textbooks, a living allowance, and two years of guaranteed employment after graduation.

Classes start May 20^th at the NSCC Ivany Campus in Dartmouth, NS. Submit your application below to get started!

About the Program

From day one, selected program participants will be hired as Shannex employees while enrolled as NSCC students in the six-month skills development program. Learning will take place in the classroom with required hours of hands-on training in Shannex communities. Students will benefit from this condensed curriculum, achieving the same learning outcomes as the traditional program but in a shorter time (26 weeks).

Program Eligibility

Investing in your future is exciting and our team is here to help you through the process. To be a candidate for the program, you must:

Be a Canadian citizen or a Permanent Resident (or entitled to work in Canada as a protected person under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act) and residing in Nova Scotia. (Please note: work or study permit are not eligible)
Be willing to participate fully in the six-month program from start to finish (full-time, 35 hours a week starting May 20, 2025), and sign a two-year Return-of-Service Agreement with Shannex (working in HRM).
Have been either actively looking for work, working full-time, working part-time while actively looking for full-time work, or working as a self-employed person in the last 12 months.
Require skills training to find a job, keep a job, improve your employment situation and/or fully participate in the workforce.
Have a high school diploma or GED.
Be proficient in the English language.
Want to be a CCA; providing personal care and assistance to residents living in long term care.

If you don’t meet the eligibility for this program, there are still many ways to grow your career with us!

A Day in the Life of a CCA

At Shannex, skilled and compassionate CCAs work with purpose as a critical part of our care team providing personal care and assistance with activities of daily living. This can include:

Dressing and bathing
Eating and feeding
Walking
Moving into and out of a bed or chair
Checking vitals, administering topical medications and ear/eye drops
Supporting recreation and site activities

While taking a resident-directed approach to care, CCAs are considered an extension of a resident’s family, spending quality time each day in conversations and activities that builds trust, joy and lifelong connection.

Learn More

Team member smiling while playing cards with resident

Ready to Apply?

The program will provide eligible candidates with guaranteed employment, skills and financial support.

Shannex will review applications and conduct interviews, providing eligible candidates a conditional offer of employment from Shannex. From there, individuals with an offer letter will be provided directions and support to apply for:
Admission to the NSCC CCA Program
Financial support (Living Allowance) through Employment Nova Scotia

Only 24 students will be accepted to the program, so apply today by completing the form below.

Why Choose Shannex?

With more than 35 years as a trusted provider of quality accommodations, services, and care to seniors, Shannex is built on a foundation of Great People and exceptional service. We design, build and operate communities known for their bright, beautiful spaces, extra wide hallways, new equipment and a Philosophy of Service that recognizes we work in a place residents call home. Every member of our team, including our valued CCAs, takes a resident-directed approach to care.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will the program start?

Learning will take place on site at NSCC’s Ivany Campus in Dartmouth starting May 20, 2025. On-the-job training will take place at one of Shannex’s long-term care communities.

What is the living allowance?

How much can I quality for? Students enrolled in the Spring 2025 class will receive financial supports up to a maximum of $23,000 per person for the six-month training period.

How many people will be selected for the program?

Approximately 24 applicants will be selected for the May 2025 class.

How many classes are being offered?

There is currently one class scheduled to start in May 2025.

What are the hours of class?

Program participants will have a full-time commitment of 7-hours of class a day, or 35 hours of in-class learning a week. The schedule will be finalized in late summer.

Will I get a job right after school?

Participants who successfully graduate the program as a certified CCA will seamlessly transition to a full-time position at one of Shannex’s long term care communities in Metro Halifax.

Will I have to pay an application fee to NSCC?

No. The link provided will ensure the $40 fee is waived for your application.

What do I need to apply to NSCC?

You will need to provide a copy of your high school or GED transcript.

I have questions, who should I contact?

If you have any questions or would like to speak to a member of the Shannex Team, please contact Colleen McKenna, Program Educator, by emailing futurecca@shannex.com.