The province announced yesterday it’s going to spend $115 million to to accelerate training for 6,000 personal support workers. It will be a tuition-free program expected to be completed in six months rather than the traditional eight-month period. All colleges in the province, including Fanshawe College campuses, will offer the program beginning in April.
Donna Gates, acting assistant dean at the St. Thomas-Elgin Regional Campus, says they can accommodate an increased intake of students and more information on registration will be available early next month.
After three months of coursework, and experienced-based learning in a clinical setting, students will complete the final three months in paid, onsite training in a long-term care home or in a home and community care environment.
In addition, the province will offer tuition assistance to students who are close to finishing an existing PSW program at one of Ontario’s publicly-assisted colleges. Nearly 2,200 students will be eligible to receive a $2,000 tuition grant to help them complete their studies, as well as a stipend to complete the clinical placement part of their training.
Registration for the program will be available through the Ontario College Application Service
