Loyalist College addresses personal support worker shortage in the Bay of Quinte region with a new fully funded six-month compressed program  

Belleville, Ontario, February 24, 2021 – The new accelerated training program for personal support workers (PSWs) announced today by the provincial government will produce a huge increase in PSW training at Loyalist College, among other Ontario colleges.

“This is a major step to help fill the significant demand for personal support workers in our Hastings and Prince Edward communities,” said Dr. Ann Marie Vaughan, Loyalist College President and CEO. “For anyone interested in a rewarding career helping others with personal care, Loyalist College will be offering 120 seats in our new compressed Personal Support Worker program. Students’ tuition, books and uniform will be covered, and they will have an excellent opportunity for paid placement.”

The Ontario government announced funding today for an accelerated program that will cover students’ tuition and other expenses. The accelerated program starts April 5 and allows participants to graduate with full credentials within six months. The program will begin accepting applications in early March. The added enrolment is expected to result in over 8,000 PSW graduates by this fall. The accelerated program allows students to fulfil the program requirements more quickly by increasing the number of study hours per week. It will use a hybrid model that combines online learning with in-person practical experience. Students in the program will complete courses online and participate in laboratory classes available at the colleges and in care settings.

“The announcement to enhance the opportunity for people to receive an education and practical experience as a Personal Support Worker is welcome news for Hastings County,” said Hastings County Warden Rick Phillips. “We respect and value all of our staff in our two long-term care homes and recognize the great work they do to support and care for our residents each day.  Our efforts to move towards four hours of direct resident care each day will be enhanced if we are able to overcome the human resources crisis all long-term care homes have faced in recruiting personal support workers. I applaud Ontario for supporting this new innovative compressed program, and I know that the incredible partnership we share with Loyalist College will continue to flourish as we look forward to their implementation of this new program.”

Students in the accelerated program will be available to volunteer at long-term care homes and other settings early in the program and available for paid work placements after three months. Graduates will enter the workforce at the end of six months. The standard PSW programs at colleges take eight months to complete.

“By providing essential care, our graduates make a difference in the lives of our most vulnerable citizens, helping them live with dignity and independence,” President Vaughan said. “We are grateful to the province for empowering colleges and our students to meet the needs of our older adult and special needs populations.”

For more information and to apply, visit the Personal Support Worker compressed program page.

About Loyalist College
Ranked one of Canada’s top 50 research colleges and #1 in the country for industry research income as a percentage of total research income, Loyalist College empowers students, faculty, staff, and partners through experiential, industry cluster-based education, training and applied research programs. As Ontario’s Destination College, the College provides job-ready graduates for, and knowledge transfer to, industry and the community. Of 2017-18 Loyalist graduates, 88.5 percent were employed within six months after graduation. Located on more than 200 acres in the beautiful Bay of Quinte region, the College is perfectly positioned between Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal. Loyalist College offers more than 70 full-time diploma, certificate and apprenticeship programs in biosciences, building sciences, business, community service, health and wellness, media studies, public safety, and skilled trades. Continuing education options are available through LoyalistFocus.com, including hundreds of online, distance and in-class courses, and through the College’s 100+ university transfer agreements. Loyalist College is a key driver of social and economic health in eastern Ontario. It contributes 3.7 percent of the Gross Regional Product, representing $382 million annually to the regional economy – based on a March 2020 report by Emsi. For more information on Loyalist College’s Belleville, Bancroft and Toronto campuses and Port Hope satellite location, visit YoureGoingPlaces.com.

– 30 –

Contact: Kerry Lorimer, Director, Marketing, Communications and Recruitment
Loyalist College, klorimer@loyalistcollege.com, 613-969-1913, ext. 2536