As the Ontario government announces funding for almost 900 new Personal Support Worker positions in long-term care homes across the province, Georgian College is more than ready to meet the demand from both students and employers.

Earlier this year, the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care announced it is providing $23.3 million to support the creation of 873 personal support worker positions in long-term care homes. This is the first round of funding to add 2,500 new personal support worker positions and 2,000 more nurses in long-term care homes over the next four years.

Georgian College has a long history of providing quality education to students wanting to become personal support workers. In fact, local employers express a strong preference for Georgian graduates, as indicated by the 100 per cent employment rate.

In response to community demand, Georgian offers the one-year (two-semester) program full- and part-time at a variety of campuses to make attending class convenient for a wide range of students.

“The new Ontario government funding is creating high demand for even more qualified personal support workers in our local long-term care homes, and Georgian is committed to helping students get the best training possible,” said Lynn Hynd, Manager of the Collingwood Campus.

“Our strong relationship with area employers and their high regard for our graduates has created our 100 per cent placement rate.”

The benefits of Georgian’s program are many. All classes are taught by qualified professionals – Registered Nurses – and graduates earn an Ontario College Certificate.

The teachers are also experienced in working with mature students, many of whom return to school in their thirties and forties to face different challenges than students entering college programs directly from secondary school.

In fact, Georgian is also ready to help potential students who don’t have all their high school credits. Staff at each campus are happy to discuss free Academic Upgrading programs that are available to applicants who need additional credits before gaining admission to the PSW program.

Graduates have many options once they’ve completed the PSW program. Georgian also offers Practical Nursing and Developmental Service Worker programs, each of which leads to a Georgian College diploma.

For more information contact Lynn Hynd, Campus Manager, Collingwood Campus at (705) 445-2961 or Bonnie DeWitt, Campus Manager, Muskoka Campus at (705) 646-7629.