The Manitoba government is doubling the number of Manitoba students who can train as combined laboratory and X-ray technologists (CLXTs) through Saskatchewan Polytechnic beginning in January 2026, securing five additional seats to help address diagnostic staffing shortages across rural and northern communities.
“Communities across rural Manitoba have been clear. They need more diagnostic staff to keep care close to home,” said Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care Minister Uzoma Asagwara. “These additional training seats mean more Manitobans can train now, graduate sooner and return to work in the hospitals that need them most. This is a targeted investment that improves patient flow, reduces delays for lab tests and imaging, and helps stabilize rural health care. Most importantly, it allows Manitobans to build their careers in their home communities and stay there, strengthening rural health care for the long term.”
Through an amended interprovincial training agreement with the Saskatchewan government and Saskatchewan Polytechnic, the Manitoba government will now support 10 first-year CLXT students for the upcoming intake. CLXTs play a central role in rural hospitals, providing essential lab testing, general radiography, and electrocardiogram services that support timely diagnosis and patient flow.
The additional seats serve as a bridge while Assiniboine College completes capital upgrades, equipment installation and regulatory approvals needed to launch Manitoba’s own 20-seat CLXT program in September 2027. Once operational, the provincial program will reduce reliance on out-of-province training.
“This agreement demonstrates the value of strong partnerships,” said Advanced Education and Training Minister Renée Cable. “By collaborating with Saskatchewan Polytechnic, we are ensuring that Manitoba students have immediate access to essential training opportunities while we prepare to launch our program in Manitoba. This approach strengthens our health-care system and supports communities across the province.”
To secure the expanded seats, the Manitoba government is investing an additional $178,270 for 2025-26. Shared Health will offer return-of-service agreements to Manitoba students accepted into the program, covering tuition and academic expenses in exchange for 5,000 hours – approximately three years of service in Manitoba after graduation, helping ensure rural and regional sites benefit directly from the investment.
Saskatchewan Polytechnic will begin accepting the additional Manitoba students for January 2026.
