The Challenge fund  

The Personal Support Worker Challenge Fund is an Ontario government initiative. It provides a bursary ( not a loan!) to help students earn a ministry-approved diploma for a PSW career. The program also assures work placement in the long-term care industry and provides experience in a long-term care context. Only OSAP-eligible students are eligible for the Personal support worker Challenge fund. You do not have to pay back the grant/bursary you receive from the challenge fund. It’s a grant, not a loan. Students must begin their PSW training at a participating career college between May 1 and July 31, 2021, to be eligible for financial assistance. You can learn more about this announcement https://www.thestar.com/politics/provincial/2021/04/28/ontario-funds-training-for-another-8k-personal-support-workers.html

Please note: The PSW Challenge Fund is not available to international students. 

Receiving Free training  

The Ontario government recently announced a substantial $86 million investment to train up to 8,000 personal support workers (PSWs). Given the current pandemic situation as well as our aging population, the Ontario government needs healthcare workers and PSWs. To encourage motivated students to pursue this rewarding and socially important career, the government is providing a subsidy to assist students and cover their tuition and internship fees that are associated with the PSW program.  

The Personal Support Worker Challenge Fund will cover tuition, textbooks, and supplies, and students’ internship costs during their work placements. This includes paid placements. In return for free tuition, students will be required to complete several hours of job shadowing during their study period to gain experience for their placements. It’s a win-win!! 

Qualifications of a PSW 

Have you been considering a PSW career but were deterred by the costs? Well, now is your chance. Wondering what it takes to be a PSW, here are some key traits and expectations: 

Patience is one of PSW’s greatest assets. Throughout the day, you’ll need to draw on your patience skills to cope with individuals who aren’t always cognitively aware. A job of a PSW consists of effective communication, and It might be as simple as having a conversation. 

What does it mean to be a Personal support worker? Some duties consist of helping clients with:  

• Travelling & mobility, basic hygiene, and sanitation  
• Reminders to take medications and suggested exercises   
• social engagements 
• nutrition and food preparation 

Don’t miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime chance to have your PSW training fully covered by the Ontario government. The staff and management at the Academy Of Learning Brampton West are excited to be a part of this great initiative. We would love to chat with you and answer any questions you may have to help you enroll and get started on your PSW journey. We have frequent new batches start dates. 

For more information on how you can earn a PSW diploma free of cost you can : 

Call us at 365-788-4080 E-mail:min@aolcbrampton.com or visit us at https://aolcbrampton.com/our-courses/personal-support-worker and click on Request Info to be contacted. Contact us to reserve your seat for July 2021