Manitoba Expands Training for Combined Lab and X-Ray Technologists

The province of Manitoba has announced an increase in training opportunities for students aspiring to become combined laboratory and X-ray technologists. Beginning in January, five additional training spots will be available at Saskatchewan Polytechnic, a move aimed at addressing the ongoing diagnostic staffing shortages in rural and northern communities. This initiative was unveiled by Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara on Tuesday.

The newly added training spots will cost the province approximately $178,270 for the 2025-26 fiscal year. These cross-trained professionals are vital in rural hospitals, providing essential lab testing, general radiography, and electrocardiogram services. To further incentivize participation, Shared Health will offer return-of-service agreements to Manitoba students accepted into the program. This agreement will cover tuition and academic costs in exchange for a commitment of 5,000 hours of service—roughly three years—within Manitoba after graduation.

Addressing Staffing Gaps in Healthcare

Currently, nearly 20 percent of lab and X-ray tech positions in Manitoba remain unfilled, as indicated by the president of the Manitoba Association of Health Care Professionals, Jason Linklater. He expressed support for the initiative, stating, “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 highlighted that there are around 1,000 vacant allied health positions in Manitoba. He urged the government to implement similar training programs on a larger scale for other vital areas such as respiratory therapy, MRI technology, and paramedics.

The introduction of the five training spots serves as a temporary solution while Assiniboine College works on capital upgrades, equipment installation, and obtaining the necessary regulatory approvals to launch its own 20-seat program in September 2027. Once operational, this provincial program aims to reduce reliance on out-of-province training and build local capacity.

Minister Asagwara noted the importance of establishing training programs within Manitoba, stating, “By working with advanced education and training, we’re actually doing the work by standing up this training in Manitoba, building our own capacity.”

This initiative reflects a strategic response to the healthcare workforce challenges faced in rural areas, ensuring that communities receive the support they need for essential medical services.