Accelerated PSW program returns to colleges in the north to help with shortages
A program offering free training for personal support workers is again being offered province-wide as a way to meet the urgent demand for PSWs.
The accelerated PSW program was launched at the peak of the pandemic last year, and two northern colleges saw a lot of interest.
Collège Boréal recently had 103 students graduate from the program across all seven of its campuses.
“The last cohort was very successful,” said Suzanne Lemieux, Dean if health sciences with Collège Boréal.
"So not only did Collège Boréal really rally around the idea of responding to the call of increasing health workers in the field, but our students really rose to the challenge to support communities, which was fantastic."
One of those recent graduates is Kanessa Hanzlik, who said she decided to go back to school after hearing tuition for the PSW program would be free.
She now works at a long-term care home in Sturgeon Falls.
“I’m happy to be a PSW and I’m happy to be a part of this family," Hanzlik said. "
“There is a PSW shortage everywhere, not just at our home but at hospitals, private care, and everything. It’s great to be able to go there and be part of that team and knowing that I am helping them during this short staff crisis.”
Officials with Cambrian College also said around 100 students graduated from the program.
In addition to free tuition, the accelerated program includes free books and a paid placement in the final three months before graduation.
“The first 12 weeks is all theory, when they’re in classroom and learning all about how the program works, everything that they need to know to work as a PSW,” said Erin McPhail, with Cambrian College.
"That’s followed by 12 weeks of clinical, where they go to a long-term care facility and gradually learn and be immersed into the actual role of the PSW."
Collège Boréal will start its next six-month accelerated PSW intake program on Aug. 15, while Cambrian's begins July 11.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
What Canadians think of the latest Liberal budget
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
Teacher shortages see some Ontario high school students awarded perfect grades on midterm exams
Students at a high school in York Region have been awarded perfect marks on their midterm exams in three subjects – not because of their academic performances however, but because they had no teacher.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
An Ontario senior thought he called Geek Squad for help with his printer. Instead, he got scammed out of $25,000
An Ontario senior’s attempt to get technical help online led him into a spoofing scam where he lost $25,000. Now, he’s sharing his story to warn others.
Her fiance has been in prison for 49 years. She's trying to free him before it's too late
Christine Roess is a retired consultant. Ezra Bozeman has spent the last 49 years in prison, serving a life sentence for a murder he says he didn’t commit. Against the odds, the two fell in love.