Niagara College looks forward to training more aspiring personal support workers after the province’s unveiling of a new, accelerated PSW program today.
The new program significantly expands training opportunities at Niagara so that participants can graduate with full credentials within five months (20 consecutive weeks) and help fill demand for more PSWs in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The College will begin accepting applications in early March for programs starting May 10 and June 14.
“We welcome this ministerial announcement, which allows us to further support our local community partners in the training and education of PSWs,” said Carolyn Triemstra, Niagara College’s dean of Health and Community Studies. “Niagara College has a long history of providing high quality, hands-on training for Personal Support Workers through our School of Nursing and Personal Support Worker Studies. We’re well-positioned to leverage this important initiative to educate highly-trained, much-needed PSWs.”
This new rapid training program fulfills professional requirements by increasing the number of study hours per week using online and in-person learning. Students will complete courses online and participate in labs on campus or in care settings. The program will provide further hands-on learning by offering volunteer opportunities early in the program and paid work placements after three months of enrolment. All in, students will have 300 hours of practical experience when they graduate.
Tuition and ancillary fees will be fully funded for program participants. There will also be some financial support for textbooks, uniforms, transit and vaccinations. Students already enrolled in a PSW training program will receive $2,000 in tuition assistance.
Participants in the Niagara College accelerated program will graduate with two additional certificates: Managing Food Safety, which focuses on safe food preparation; and Gentle Persuasive Approach focused on caring for individuals with dementia and other cognitive diseases.
PSWs are skilled and compassionate health care providers who help some of the most vulnerable populations with physical and psychosocial challenges at all stages of life. Standard PSW programs offered at Niagara take eight months to complete.
“Personal support workers have been frontline heroes throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, providing critical care to those who most need it right now,” said Sean Kennedy, Niagara College president. “Niagara College is proud to collaborate with the province to increase access to education and training for much-needed PSWs.”
Visit niagaracollege.ca/pswaccel/ to learn more.
