Georgian College’s Personal Support Worker application process in Owen Sound is set to open up by Monday (March 8th).
The new accelerated PSW program aims to create a huge increase in PSW training at Ontario’s colleges. The COVID-19 pandemic has magnified the already existing need for more support workers in long-term care homes.
The Province’s website shows there have been 21,596 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the 626 long-term care homes in Ontario. As of March 3rd, 3,756 people in those homes have died.
Back in late February, the Province announced it was putting $115 million into creating a tuition-free program with the hope of enrolling 6,000 new students.
A release from Georgian College says the added enrolment is expected to result in over 8,000 PSW graduates in the province by this fall.
When the province announced the funding back on February 24th, Premier Doug Ford said, “We have a duty to protect them and we made a promise to do whatever it takes.”
The accelerated program starts April 5th, and the college says that by increasing the number of study hours per week, it allows students to graduate with full credentials within six months.
It will use a hybrid model that combines online learning with in-person practical experience including volunteering at long-term care homes and other settings early in the program and for paid work placements after three months.
Standard PSW programs at colleges take eight months to complete.
The Province is also making a $2,000 grant available to the 2,200 existing PSW students who are currently enrolled.
Georgian College President and CEO Dr. MaryLynn West-Moynes says in a statement, “This is a major step to help fill the demand for personal support workers in our communities,” adding, “PSWs are the backbone of care in Ontario and there simply aren’t enough of them. This is an excellent opportunity for anyone interested in a new career in this critical field.”
Those interested in applying to the provincially funded PSW program with intakes starting in April or May at Georgian, should check https://www.ontariocolleges.ca on or after March 8 for details.