Why Personal Support Worker is a Smart Career Choice in Ontario

“We know that Ontarians would prefer to receive care in their own homes and communities and Personal Support Workers play a critical role in making this possible. Our government is committed to working closely with our partners to better support PSWs, including improvements to their wages in recognition of the important role they play in our health care system.”

– Dr. Eric Hoskins, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care

According to the Government of Ontario, a Personal Support Worker (otherwise known as a PSW) is an individual who assists those with Activities of Daily Living (ADL’s). Often associated with the elderly, a PSW may also work with children and other vulnerable members of society.  Under the direction of a Registered Nurse (RN) or Registered Practical Nurse (RPN), a PSW helps to aid in the care and needs for their client as stated in their client/resident’s care plan.  Duties often include dressing, bathing, toileting, transferring, emotional/physical/mental support, companionship etc.  Personal Support Workers are front line workers and are often the first professionals to notice changes in a client’s well being.  Personal Support Workers are a VITAL and IMPORTANT part of the booming healthcare industry found within Ontario and all of Canada.

Anderson College has been providing the necessary career training for students looking to work within the Ontario healthcare sector and specifically, the PSW sector. Our school continuously strives to ensure all graduates from the Personal Support Worker certificate program are equipped with the most advanced skills in order to excel within this booming workforce in Ontario.

There are approximately 100,000 Personal Support Workers employed across Ontario’s booming healthcare industry and these numbers continue to grow. Due to the increasing numbers of the elderly population in Ontario, approximately 34,000 Personal Support Workers are employed within the home and community care sector. With the elderly population on the rise, the government of Ontario has been consistently taking necessary steps to help attract and retain the best Personal Support Workers in the industry. With the help of our government combined with the high standard of training offered within  Anderson College. Personal Support Worker students are often hired immediately upon graduation. In addition, the Government of Ontario continues to implement the PSW Workforce Stabilization Strategy including initiatives such as:

• Developing options to enhance full-time and permanent employment
• Helping new graduates transition successfully into jobs within the home and community care industry through on-the-job orientation
• And strengthening profession leadership in the sector

These initiatives have been directly influencing the successful placement and hiring of Anderson College students. To find out more about the Personal Support Worker Certificate Program and discovering if this is the right career path for you, contact Anderson College today.