Become a Personal Support Worker through the Government of Canada: You can receive up to $25,400

As a Personal Support Worker (PSW), you’ll make a huge difference in the lives of long-term care residents and their families. From helping with activities of daily living to providing companionship and support, your work will directly impact the quality of life of long-term care residents and their experience at home. Ontario is currently offering incentives for students and recent graduates of Personal Support Workers. You could receive up to $25,400 in incentives as you begin your new career.

About Personal Support Workers

Find information on how to become a Personal Support Worker and government incentives to help you kick-start your career.

1. Up to 24,000 new PSWs will be needed by 2026.

2. Training can be completed in just 5 months.

3. Starting April 1, 2023, new, current and graduates of approved programs can receive up to $25,400 in incentives.

Free Personal Support Worker Certificate

Become a Personal Support Worker through district school boards.Get your certificate in as little as five months for a career in high demand.

Ontario school board Personal Support Worker (PSW) programs offer high-quality training in a supportive environment. Many programs offer part-time, evening, or accelerated courses to fit into your life. If you also want to earn prerequisite credits for college programs like nursing or pharmacy, or a high school diploma, your PSW school board program will make it easier.

How much do PSW programs cost?

The tuition is free at school board PSW programs, because the Ontario Government is currently covering all program fees. This has been extended to students through 2024.

There is also a stipend (payment) available for work placements.

Can I enter the program if I never finished high school?

Yes! You do not need your high school diploma to get your PSW certificate through a school board program. However, many employers and college programs require an OSSD (Ontario Secondary School Diploma). A school board PSW program is the perfect opportunity to earn your high school and a career certificate at the same time.

You can earn your OSSD along with your PSW through a three-step process that makes it easier for you.

The school will give you high school credit for your work and life experience through PLAR (Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition).

Some of the courses you take for PSW can also apply to your high school.

Finally, you can take any additional credits you need at the same school.

Can you make it easier for me to become a nurse, pharmacist or other health care professional?

Yes! In some cases, PSW courses are also prerequisites for college and university programs in health care. Since PSW programs are run through schools that also have adult high school programs, you can take any additional course you need, like Grade 12 Biology or Chemistry.

If I am already a health care worker but I would like my PSW, can I get my certificate faster?

Your previous health care experience may apply towards your PSW certificate through PSWRAS, (Personal Support Worker Recognition and Advanced Standing). Contact your local program for more details.

Can I do my PSW program part-time?

Check your local school program in the map above to see if there are part-time, evening or accelerated options in your area.

Do I get hands-on training?

Yes! School board programs have a classroom lab component and multiple work placements in a variety of settings such as community care and long-term care. Classroom labs are well-equipped to give students hands-on experience before their placements.

Some programs have “Living Classrooms” – courses that are run right in a long-term care home.

Do school board PSW programs adhere to provincial standards?

Yes! School board PSW programs follow the training standards set out by the Ministry of Colleges and Universities, as well as the requirements from the Ministry of Health. They must also meet the requirements of the Ministry of Education, making them of high quality and highly professional. All programs must undergo a Quality Assurance process, ensuring excellence in PSW training.

Are school board PSW programs well respected on my resume?

Yes! Employers seek out school board grads because the programs are highly regarded. Students are often hired even before they graduate.

How to Apply

Open official website at https://ontarioschoolboardpsw.ca/ and enter your postal code on the map above to find programs close to you. You can click on the school link for more details or contact them directly using the information provided.

Government incentives

Right now, Ontario is offering incentives to students and newly graduated personal support workers. You could get up to $25,400 as you start your new career.

Placement stipend for students

What it is: Up to $5,400 while you complete your clinical placement in a long-term care home or in home and community care.

How you get it: You get paid by your employer.

Your employer must submit an online request for a clinical placement stipend on your behalf through Ontario Health.

Commitment incentives for new graduates

What it is: Commit to working in a long-term care home or with a home and community care provider for 12 months you can receive $10,000, and another $10,000 if the home or provider is in a rural, remote or northern location.

How you get it: You must be a student or have graduated after April 1, 2023. Complete the PSW Expression of Interest Form on the Ontario Health website, indicating that you will commit to working in a long-term care home for 12 months. This information will be shared with potential employers. Once you are hired, you and your employer will sign an agreement and the home will submit it to Ontario Health. You will receive instalment payments at 6 months and 12 months. For the rural, remote and northern incentive, you will receive instalment payments on your first day of employment, at six months and 12 months.

If you have already signed up for the previous 6 month program, you have the option to make a commitment for another six months and receive an additional $5,000.