Government-supported paid medical administrative assistant training in 2025: over $50 per hour!
In Canada, medical administrative assistants are an important driving force in the medical industry. The government has paved the way for the development of the medical industry through a number of paid training programs. CJG plans to provide participants with training costs of $10,000 per person through training courses and paid internships to attract more people to join the medical industry. From 2020 to 2025, the hourly wage of medical administrative assistants will increase from an average of $22.00 to $24.00-24.50, up to $30-32 in nearby cities such as Toronto and Vancouver, and the highest hourly wage will even exceed 50 CAD. Therefore, medical administrative assistants are a career with both career rewards and development potential
Anyone can participate, from an 18-year-old high school graduate to a 50-year-old career changer.
What is government-supported paid medical administrative assistant training?
Government-supported paid medical administrative assistant training refers to vocational training programs supported, subsidized or coordinated by the federal, provincial or local governments of Canada to help individuals acquire the skills and qualifications required to become medical administrative assistants. These programs usually lower the educational threshold and support the cultivation of medical industry talents to meet the needs of the medical system by providing low-cost courses, tuition subsidies, living allowances or paid internships.
What are the government-supported paid medical administrative assistant training programs?
The Canadian government supports the training of medical administrative assistants in a variety of ways, including direct supporting, paid internships and employment service programs. The Canadian Jobs Strategy (CJG) is a federal-provincial cooperative program designed to help employers train new employees or upgrade the skills of existing employees, including training related to medical administrative assistants. Here are several major programs:
1. Ontario: Ontario Works Training Program
Ontario Works provides employment support for low-income people, including supporting for medical administrative assistant training courses. The program is supported by the Ontario government and aims to help participants gain vocational skills and enter the labor market. Some programs provide living allowances or paid internships during training. Training content includes medical record management, patient reception and office skills, and courses are usually provided by partner institutions.
2. British Columbia: Health Career Access Program (HCAP)
British Columbia's HCAP provides supported on-the-job training for applicants without a medical background, with the goal of training registered health care assistants. The program is supported by the provincial government and features: training time is 12 to 18 months, combining online learning, face-to-face courses and practical training. Participants receive full wages during training, and tuition and book fees are supported by the government. After completing training, they must serve in the public health system for at least one year. Graduates can register with the BC Nursing Assistant and Community Health Worker Registry to become qualified health care assistants.
3. New Brunswick
The government supports short-term training through the Employment Development Program, such as Eastern College's Medical Administrative Assistant program, and some participants can receive tuition waivers or internship allowances.
4. Alberta
Alberta Works offers similar supporting, which may include paid internships, the specific amount depends on the program and the employer.
Why choose a government-supported training program?
✅ Professional certification: Obtain an officially recognized certificate or diploma to enhance your professional qualifications as a medical administrative assistant.
✅ Low-cost education: The government will provide a large amount of fee subsidies to reduce the financial burden, especially for low-income groups.
✅ Paid internships: Some programs provide wages or allowances during the internship to help participants earn while learning.
✅ Job security: After completing the training, graduates are often directly recommended to cooperating employers.
How to Get Started
Follow the steps below and make the most of the resources available to you.
How to participate in a government-supported medical administrative assistant training program?
1️⃣ Research available programs
Determine which government-supported training programs are available in your area. Visit the federal website or provincial employment service websites . Check community colleges (such as Humber College, Douglas College) for government-supported cooperative programs.
2️⃣ Confirm eligibility requirements
Identity: Canadian citizen, permanent resident or protected person (refugee status).
Education: High school diploma or equivalent (GED).
Age: Age is usually over 19 years old (some programs have no age limit).
Other: No criminal record (need to pass a background check because it involves a medical environment).
Language skills: Basic language skills in English or French (Quebec).
3️⃣ Choose a training institution
Government-supported programs usually provide training in partnership with community colleges, vocational schools or employers. Here are some common options:
Ontario:
Humber College: Offers a Medical Office Assistant (MOA) certificate program, some programs are in partnership with Ontario Works.
George Brown College: Offers a medical administration program with a paid internship.
British Columbia:
Douglas College: Partners with WorkBC to offer MOA training.
Vancouver Community College: Offers short-term certificate programs that may include supporting support.
Other regions:
Eastern College (New Brunswick): 22-week healthcare administration program with government-supported tuition.
Bow Valley College (Alberta): Partners with Alberta Works.
4️⃣ Prepare your application materials
Proof of identity: Passport, permanent resident card, or citizenship certificate.
Proof of education: High school diploma or transcript.
Financial information (if applicable): Proof of income (bank statement required for Ontario Works).
Resume: Outline your education and work experience. (No if you have no experience)
Motivation letter (required for some programs): Explain why you chose the healthcare administrative assistant career.
5️⃣ Submit your application
CJG: Submit through the provincial labour department website.
WorkBC: Register and submit your application at
Ontario Works: Submit online or in person at a local office.
Through an employer: If participating in the CJG, contact a potential employer (e.g. a clinic or hospital) and have them apply on your behalf.
Through a college: Apply directly to a partner college (e.g. Humber College) and indicate that you would like government supporting.
Cost: Some programs may charge a small application fee, but the training itself is usually low-cost.
6️⃣ Attend an interview or assessment
Process: Some programs require an interview or career assessment to confirm your interest and abilities.
Preparation: Be familiar with the duties of a medical administrative assistant (e.g., appointment management, record handling), and demonstrate organizational and communication skills.
Outcome: Upon passing, you will be assigned to a training program, which may include a paid internship.
7️⃣ Start training and get support
Training duration: Typically 6 months to 1 year, including classroom learning and internships.
Subsequent employment: After completing training, the program usually provides job referrals or direct placement.
Real case: Lisa - From unemployment to core clinic staff (Toronto, Ontario)
Lisa, a 32-year-old single mother in Toronto, earns less than $1,000 per month and lost her job due to layoffs in the retail industry in early 2022. So she participated in the Ontario Works training program. She applied for the Medical Office Assistant Certificate Program at Humber College. In the fall of 2022, Lisa began a nine-month training program, which included six months of classroom study and three months of paid internship. She interned at a family clinic, working 30 hours a week and receiving a stipend of $20 per hour, totaling about $7,200 in internship income. In June 2023, Lisa completed her training and received her MOA certificate. The internship clinic directly hired her as a full-time medical administrative assistant, with a starting salary of $25 per hour, which rose to $27 after a year, and an annual salary of about $52,000 (based on 37.5 hours per week). Lisa said: "This program not only gave me skills, but also restored my confidence. Now I can give my children a better life, and I plan to obtain an office management certificate in the future."
The Canadian government-supported medical administrative assistant training program provides valuable opportunities for those who are interested in the medical industry. Through low-cost education and paid internships, participants can quickly master skills and enter the job market. With the growing demand for medical care, the prospects for this profession are bright, especially in cities such as Toronto and Vancouver. If you are interested in medical administration work, explore these programs and start a stable and rewarding career path!