Burnaby - A glimpse into the future of care unfolded this week at the BC Care Providers Association annual conference in Victoria, where more than 200 care leaders and staff watched Trellis Seniors take home the $2,000 top prize at SafeCare BC’s ninth annual Safety Den for an innovation that delivers critical safety training with a simple tap of a phone. 

Out of a record-breaking 26 submissions, six finalists earned the chance to pitch their ideas live on stage. Trellis Seniors’ tap-to-learn solution captured the judges’ attention with its clear potential to transform care. 

Education on Tap uses simple NFC (Near Field Communication) stickers to put essential training videos, policies and procedures right at workers’ fingertips, exactly where and when they need them most. 

Gone are the days of searching through bulky manuals or losing time hunting for information. Education on Tap offers instant access to quick, bite-sized learning that fits into staff’s busy schedules. All it takes is the tap of a phone to empower their work and raise safety standards across care homes in Kamloops, North Vancouver, and Sechelt.

“We know education in long-term care must be accessible, engaging and right at your fingertips,” said Shelly Cantelo, director of education and safety at Trellis Seniors. “We are thrilled to bring tap-and-go technology directly to our frontline teams. This is just the beginning. We will expand Education on Tap into a powerful library of micro-learning that reflects our values of teamwork, flexibility, accountability and a passion for growth. It’s for our staff, our residents and families. Together, we are creating a culture of safety, knowledge and empowerment.” 

SafeCare BC CEO, Saleema Dhalla, said events like Safety Den are key to spotlighting the kind of innovation that can ripple across the sector and drive real change. 

“We host Safety Den to put a spotlight on the innovative approaches to dealing with workplace health and safety issues,” says Dhalla. “We know many organizations are doing great things to create healthy and safe workplaces, and by encouraging the sharing of these ideas, more people can benefit.” 

SafeCare BC’s Safety Den is a highlight of the BC Care Providers annual conference, drawing an engaged crowd of more than 600 attendees this year. Known for showcasing bold ideas and breakthrough innovations, Safety Den has become a can’t-miss event for anyone passionate about advancing safety in care workplaces.