The Ontario government is connecting over 100 job seekers in Southwestern Ontario with paid training and job placements as personal support workers (PSWs) through the Grow Your Own HSW-PSW Partnership Program.
This $2.5 million investment is helping address the shortage of PSWs and ensure residents get the high-quality health care they deserve, Provincial officials say.
“Across our province, there is a need for more PSWs to help take care of those in our community who need it most,” said Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development, in a media release.
“That is why our government is investing in programs that connect people who have had difficulty finding work with free training and paid job placements in critical industries that are close to where they live.”
Minister McNaughton visited Wallaceburg on Friday morning, February 11, 2022 to announce the plans.
The Grow Your Own HSW-PSW Partnership Program is being offered in Lambton County, the City of Sarnia, Essex County, the City of Windsor, and the Municipality of Chatham-Kent, Provincial officials say.
“The partnership of Chatham-Kent Employment and Social Services, Ontario Works and the municipalities of Windsor and Lambton County is a model of how to address the shortage of essential health care workers,” said Darrin Canniff, Mayor of Chatham-Kent, in a media release.
“The program has provided 26 long-term care homes and health care providers with immediate and long-term staff at a time when we are reminded of how important these positions are to our community.”
The program, which is focused on training Ontario Works and Ontario Disability Support Program recipients and others who have been laid off, is 30 weeks long and features a mix of online, in-person, and on-the-job training.
Participants are paid by employers throughout the program and can also receive up to $3,000 to offset costs like travel and childcare.
After finishing the training, graduates will be ready to begin rewarding, full-time careers as PSWs with their respective employers, Provincial officials added.
“Since 2019, Employment and Social Services has worked collaboratively with community partners to address the PSW labour shortage,” said Matt Keech, program manager for Employment and Social Services for the Municipality of Chatham-Kent, in a press release.
“Because of the Skills Development Fund, we have been able to build upon the success of our employment program and expand the opportunity to more employers and job seekers looking to earn a meaningful living wage in an in-demand field of employment.”
Friday’s announced investment is part of Ontario’s over $200-million Skills Development Fund designed to support fresh ideas for training and skills development that will help our economy recover and prosper.
It builds on the Provincial government’s ongoing efforts to attract, support, and protect workers, making Ontario the top place in the world to work, live and raise a family, Provincial officials added.
“When I was accepted into the program, I was rejoining the workforce after three years as a full-time stay-at-home mom,” stated Carla Lynch, program participant, in a media release.
“At the time, I was questioning my confidence in myself and my ability to be a part of a health care team. This program has made a big difference in my life and my confidence.”
The Grow Your Own HSW-PSW Partnership Program is being delivered by SE Career College of Health.
Job postings for personal support workers have more than quadrupled (+443%) since 2017, with over 5,000 postings in 2021.
For more information on other PSW training programs, contact your local Employment Ontario office, Provincial officials added.
