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

      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 à Ottawa et à Hawkesbury, près de la frontière québécoise.

      Our Supporting Partners

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      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:

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