Find a PSW Program

Become a Personal Support Worker through your local school board.

Get your certificate in as little as five months for a career in high demand.
Find a PSW Program
Healthcare worker assisting elderly woman

A Caring Program for a Rewarding Profession

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

Widely respected by employers, school board PSW grads get hired immediately for fast-growing careers in long-term care, hospitals, group homes, home care and more.

Free

No course fees and get paid on your placement.

Earn Diploma

Earn your High School diploma at the same time.

Gain Credits

Gain credits towards other health care careers.

Get Hired

Get a job by the time you graduate!

Find a PSW Program Near You

French locations in Hawkesbury, Ottawa and Sudbury are marked in dark blue.

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      FAQ

      The length, format and other details of programs do vary by school board, so contact your local program directly with any questions.

      Enter your postal code on the map above. When you find the program that is close to you, click on the school link for more details or contact them directly with the info provided.

      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. To learn more about the stipend and other funding options, visit this info page.

      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. 

        1. Our schools can award you high school credits through PLAR (Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition) for your work and life experience.
        2. Some of the courses you take for PSW can also apply to your high school.
        3. Finally, you can take any additional credits you need at the same school. 

       

      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.

      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.

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

      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.

      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.

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

      Currently, PSWs are unregulated. This means they do not have a governing body or college. Their role is guided by their education and training, their employers, and Ontario health legislation. However, the Ontario government is working toward the establishment of the new Health and Supportive Care Providers Regulatory Oversight Authority (HSCPOA). Visit their site for more information.

      Oui, il existe deux programmes PSSP en français et trois sites à Ottawa et à Hawkesbury (École des adultes Le Carrefour avec CEPEO ), et à Sudbury (Carrefour Options+ avec CSC Nouvelon).

      Our Supporting Partners

      Powered by

      CESBA (full name: The Ontario Association of Adult and Continuing Education School Board Administrators) is a provincial non-profit professional association that represents, advocates for and supports adult and continuing education program staff working in about 60 school boards across Ontario.

      Funding provided by:

      Success Stories

      Lateef

      St. James School of Adult and Continuing Education, CDSBEO
      City: Smiths Falls

      Lateef, a 32-year-old newcomer from Nigeria, was nervous about finding his way in a new culture when he brought his wife and three young boys to Canada in 2018. He had worked in banking, but the industry was different here. He had taken care of his grandmother back home so he thought about working in elder care, but he needed to find out where to start.

      Lateef

      St. James School of Adult and Continuing Education, CDSBEO
      City: Smiths Falls

      Lateef, a 32-year-old newcomer from Nigeria, was nervous about finding his way in a new culture when he brought his wife and three young boys to Canada in 2018. He had worked in banking, but the industry was different here. He had taken care of his grandmother back home so he thought about working in elder care, but he needed to find out where to start.

      “We were so scared when we came, but our actual experience here was exceptional,” Lateef shared. “Canadians are so accommodating and welcoming and there are so many supports in place to help us succeed. I told my wife that we must give back to this society as much as possible.”

      When he learned about the PSW program at St. James in Smith Falls through the Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario, Lateef knew that it was a perfect fit with his interest in healthcare, his ambition to build a career and his promise to give back.

      Lateef learned he could get his Ontario Secondary School Diploma and his PSW certification at the same time. He completed a PLAR (Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition) assessment that awarded him several high school credits based on his work and life experience, as well as his academic history from Nigeria. The PSW program courses also gave him credits towards his high school diploma. Finally, he could finish the last few classes right at St. James. The guidance counsellor at the school helped him with the process and told him which classes he would also need for a college nursing program in the future.

      “All the staff without exception have been so supportive and create a great environment,” Lateef said. “I especially loved my instructor, who gave so much more than I ever expected.”

      Lateef just completed his second work placement at a large health centre in Ottawa. He got to work at several specialized health units and found many mentors there. He hopes to be hired there when he graduates, then go to college for nursing next year.

      Lateef had many reasons to pursue his PSW before the program, but he discovered one more during his placement. “I learned I have an ability to make people happy and make people’s day better. I got to have one-on-one connections with people, which gave me a lot of joy. They may not remember my name, but they always remember how I made them feel,” he shares with his signature smile.

      Daphney

      Centre d’éducation et de formation de l’Est ontarien, CEPEO
      City: Hawkesbury

      After a decade of hard work doing jobs like deep cleaning convenience stores, Daphney, 36, was ready for something new. When she was 17, she had cared for her mother during a serious illness. She felt that since she had learned how to take care of her, she could offer care to others as well. But she would need a French program that was close to home.

      Daphney

      Centre d’éducation et de formation de l’Est ontarien, CEPEO
      City: Hawkesbury

      After a decade of hard work doing jobs like deep cleaning convenience stores, Daphney, 36, was ready for something new. When she was 17, she had cared for her mother during a serious illness. She felt that since she had learned how to take care of her, she could offer care to others as well. But she would need a French program that was close to home.

      Daphney enrolled at the Centre d’éducation et de formation de l’Est ontarien (CEFEO) in Hawkesbury, a few minutes from her home in l’Original near the Quebec border.

      In March 2020, Daphney was supposed to start class, but then the world changed. With the arrival of COVID, long-term care homes needed help quickly. The students in her class were offered a three-week intensive course to help as assistants during the summer. It was an opportunity to get hands-on experience immediately, so she jumped at the chance.

      Daphney continued her training in the fall. She found her instructors were always ready to listen to their students. The coursework was practical and hands on. She particularly enjoyed a course on the best way to use your body to avoid muscle strain and move clients safely. It is information she uses every day.

      “I was so happy to have learned good techniques and a solid foundation,” Daphney explained. “And no day was ever the same.”

      Daphney hoped to complete her Ontario Secondary School Diploma at the same time. She was delighted to learn that she could earn credits through the Prior Learning and Recognition (PLAR) program for her work and life experience, as well as her PSW classes. She only needed to take one French course to graduate.

      As soon as she finished her program, Daphney was hired at a long-term care home. Shortly afterwards, she was recruited by a home care company. She loved the personal service she could provide at a client’s home. Now she works with people of all ages with disabilities to help them with their care and independence.

      “I love my job!” Daphney shared. “I wake up every morning in a good mood, exciting to get to work.”

      Daphney also appreciates the flexibility of the work, which allows her time to go for long costume-themed camping trips, spend time with family and occasionally belt out a tune at the karaoke bar.

      For anyone wishing to become a PSW, Daphney strongly recommends they get their certificate soon. “It’s worth the effort, because there are so many jobs available right now,” she says. “And you will get to change someone’s life.”

      Adam

      Wallaceburg Secondary School, LKDSB
      City: Wallaceburg

      After high school, Adam got a job at a factory doing general labour. He quickly learned that he wanted a more fulfilling career. His aunt was in a nursing home where he had the opportunity to meet other PSWs. He knew that he had always been someone his family could rely on, so he felt like that job helping others would be an excellent fit.

      Adam

      Wallaceburg Secondary School, LKDSB
      City: Wallaceburg

      After high school, Adam got a job at a factory doing general labour. He quickly learned that he wanted a more fulfilling career. His aunt was in a nursing home where he had the opportunity to meet other PSWs. He knew that he had always been someone his family could rely on, so he felt like that job helping others would be an excellent fit.

      Adam enrolled in the PSW program with the Lambton Kent District School Board at Wallaceburg Secondary, his local high school. He discovered the classes were small, so he could work closely with his instructor and ask questions.

      “The program was good for me, because I learn by doing and it was very hands-on,” Adam shared. “I excelled in the program.”

      When his wife was accepted to law school in Windsor, he moved and easily found a PSW job since his training was in high demand. With a newly established career of his own, he was able to support her as she studied. Today, she is a criminal lawyer and expecting their first child.

      Adam works in a large long-term care home in Windsor. He takes the midnight shift, which he prefers because he enjoys the quieter times and the flexibility during the day.

      It has now been ten years since Adam, now 28, completed his PSW at Wallaceburg and he still keeps in touch with his instructor who has been a mentor to him for the past decade. As a union rep, Adam appreciates the opportunity to offer support and mentorship himself to new PSWs as they establish their own careers.

      “I like being a leader for people in my job,” Adam explained. “I enjoy helping other staff members and educating them on what they can do.”

      Kelly

      Archbishop Anthony Meagher, DCDSB
      City: Oshawa

      When Kelly, a 38-year-old mother of four, signed up her youngest for junior kindergarten, she decided it was time to invest in a new career. She had started a PSW program at a college a few years earlier, but she left after a health scare and a new baby. If she were to return, she would want a supportive program that actually worked for her family.

      Kelly

      Archbishop Anthony Meagher, DCDSB
      City: Oshawa

      When Kelly, a 38-year-old mother of four, signed up her youngest for junior kindergarten, she decided it was time to invest in a new career. She had started a PSW program at a college a few years earlier, but she left after a health scare and a new baby. If she were to return, she would want a supportive program that actually worked for her family.

      Kelly decided to try the PSW program with Archbishop Anthony Meagher CCCE through Durham Catholic District School board. In September, both she and her four-year-old began school together.

      “I never felt that much support in school growing up, but everyone in this school made me feel like anything was possible,” Kelly explained. “My instructor was a nurse, so she had stories about everything we were learning.”

      The program helped students with academic support, equipment and even childcare. They offered accelerated and part-time options, along with excellent hands-on experience. This was exactly the program Kelly needed to succeed.

      After a work placement in a long-term care home where Kelly made a big impression on residents with her sunny personality and flaming red hair, she attended a job fair organized by the school. “I’m still getting calls three years later!” she says. She decided to work for an organization that offers home care. She loved the flexibility and the personal care she could give clients at home.

      During the pandemic, Kelly took a leave of absence to return to Anthony Meagher for some high school prerequisite credits, then went on to attend a pharmacy assistant program at a private college. 

      Kelly missed her PSW clients while she was studying in her pharmacy program and sent audio clips of her voice to remind them of her. “It’s amazing what you can do for people when they need your help. It’s just so rewarding,” she shares.

      Now Kelly can customize her career to fit her family’s schedule. She plans to return to work in home care as a PSW for some evening and weekend shifts, while working in a pharmacy part time by day.

      “The PSW program showed me I could do so much more with my life,” Kelly said with a smile. “And all my friends from the program have jobs now—in long-term care, group homes, home care. We’re everywhere!”

      Ashlee

      St. Albert Adult Learning Centre, SCDSB
      City: Sudbury

      Ashlee was a medical office admin with a diploma from a business college who wanted to move up in health care. She knew that even with college, hospitals and other employers expected her to have an Ontario Secondary School Diploma. With three kids, it was hard to imagine finding the time to both upgrade her health care training and finish high school.

      Ashlee

      St. Albert Adult Learning Centre, SCDSB
      City: Sudbury

      Ashlee was a medical office admin with a diploma from a business college who wanted to move up in health care. She knew that even with college, hospitals and other employers expected her to have an Ontario Secondary School Diploma. With three kids, it was hard to imagine finding the time to both upgrade her health care training and finish high school.

      “I couldn’t get a job at the City [of Sudbury] or at a hospital without my high school diploma,” Ashlee explained. “But I thought it was unachievable to get it at 28.” She registered at St. Albert Learning Centre to complete her PSW and high school at the same time.

      Ashlee needed six credits to finish her high school and she was pleased to discover that she could earn five through her PSW courses. One more online English class through the same school and she was done.

      Not only did Ashlee meet her academic goals; she was selected as valedictorian for academic excellence by her PSW instructor and delivered a speech to her graduating class. “The program really helped me with confidence. It made me feel like I had made the right choice,” she said.

      After her placements, Ashlee was hired as a PSW by the long-term care home she used to work for as an admin. She appreciates that it is a career with better pay and benefits. As a mom, she also loves the flexibility of shift work because it fits in her schedule. 

      Ashlee is grateful for the training and guidance she received from St. Albert that she carries with her on every shift. She was struck by her instructor’s extensive knowledge as a nurse, along with her desire to see all her students succeed. “I can still hear her voice in my head when I’m working,” she shared. 

      “I feel my experience was more hands-on,” said Ashlee, explaining that the students even took turns lifting each other on the lift used to move clients to and from their bed. “I think if every PSW got the same training I did, long-term care would look very different.”