The Ontario government said Friday it is making it easier to get education and training to become a personal support worker (PSW). The province announced it is re-launching a $54 million financial support program for up to 4,000 new students at private career colleges in Ontario, which will help address the shortage of PSWs in the province.
“Our government is committed to making investments that will ensure Ontarians have access to the care they need, and private career colleges have an excellent track record preparing students for in-demand roles in health and long-term care,” said Jill Dunlop, Minister of Colleges and Universities.
Dunlop said it is essential for Ontario to train more students as PSWs to prepare them for the "critical jobs caring for some of the most vulnerable people as we build a more resilient and stronger health care system across Ontario.”
Through this investment, for eligible students who enroll between June 1 and September 30, 2022, the ministry said financial support of up to $13,690 will be available to cover the costs of tuition, books and other mandatory fees, as well as a stipend for a clinical work placement. This funding will be available to new students enrolled in a PSW program at one of the participating Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) approved private career colleges, said the ministry.
Adrian Sharma, the Chair of Career Colleges Ontario, said the private colleges are vital to the success of meeting the demand for long-term care homes.
“With the re-launched financial support program announced today, Private Career Colleges can continue to provide our health care system with much-needed, well-trained workers in numerous communities across the province,” Sharma said.
The province said the training investment supports the government's Long-Term Care Staffing Plan, so that long-term care home workers can provide an average of four hours of direct care per day to residents.
