“If this program didn’t exist, I wouldn’t have been able to become a personal support worker.” 

Katie Lalonde can speak to the importance of the PSW Learn and Earn program, an initiative of the Government of Ontario with Humber Polytechnic to train hundreds of desperately needed personal support workers (PSWs). The program upskills employees at long-term care homes, including resident attendants and dietary aides, to become PSWs. 

Lalonde worked at a long-term care home in Durham, first in the kitchen and then in environmental services.  

“It was there that my love for the residents really took over,” said Lalonde. “Seeing them every day and getting to know them and what’s happening in their lives, I felt I could do so much more for them in a different role.” 

Going back to school full-time to upskill would have been impossible as she had children at home and bills to pay. The PSW Learn and Earn program was a lifeline for Lalonde – it has learners completing online coursework followed by a paid, on-site clinical placement at the long-term care home where they already work. By offering the training online, the hope is to eliminate barriers that may impede those interested, such as Lalonde, from enrolling in the program due to geography or proximity to a post-secondary institution.   

“Thanks to this program, I was able to move forward in my career,” she said. “I love what I do. I honest to goodness love my job and it really doesn’t feel like work to me.” 

Ontario Premier Doug Ford was joined by Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security Nolan Quinn, Minister of Long-Term Care Natalia Kusendova-Bashta, and Colleges Ontario President and CEO Maureen Adamson at Humber on February 5 to announce that the province is investing $17.6 million to expand the program to train 660 new PSWs.  

“We’re making record investments to staff, build and upgrade long-term care across Ontario, including in rural and northern communities, to ensure residents have the safe and supportive homes they deserve,” said Ford. “We will continue to support innovative programs like Learn and Earn to ensure residents in rural and northern communities have access to quality care.” 

In a news release, the Ontario government said, compared to 2021, long-term care residents are now receiving, on average, more than an hour of additional daily direct care from nurses and PSWs — a 36 per cent increase, equivalent to 15 days of additional care per resident, per year. They added that seniors, those aged 65 and older, make up the fastest growing age group in the province. 

"Humber is proud to partner with the Ontario Ministry of Long-Term Care to deliver workforce solutions that strengthen Ontario’s long-term care system,” said Humber President and CEO Ann Marie Vaughan. “The Learn and Earn Accelerated PSW Program is a proven model that removes financial barriers, supports working learners and helps retain skilled professionals where they are needed most. With nearly 400 PSWs already certified through Humber and up to 600 graduates expected across the province, this investment is making a meaningful difference for residents, employers and communities. We are grateful for the continued leadership of the Government of Ontario and its commitment to building a resilient, compassionate long-term care workforce." 

Learners will have 14 weeks of full-time online, synchronous coursework. During the learner’s coursework, the LTC home will backfill their job. There’s also eight weeks of paid, on-site experiential learning through the clinical placement. 

A recent survey of Learn and Earn graduates revealed that 79 per cent expressed a strong or moderate interest in advancing their careers by becoming practical nurses. Those who are interested will be pleased to hear that the government has launched the PSW to PN Learn and Earn program. It’s investing $3.9 million to train 40 current PSWs to become registered practical nurses. 

Both programs will be delivered by Humber. Learn and Earn has already supported the training of more than 600 PSWs and, through the program’s extension, will add 660 more PSWs and an additional 40 practical nurses. 

“Our government is building a strong staff training pipeline to retain more workers and improve resident care,” said Minister of Long-Term Care Natalia Kusendova-Bashta, who was a registered nurse before entering politics and is a graduate of Humber. “This new investment will help existing staff build the skills they need to grow their careers and ensure long-term-care residents continue to receive world-class care close to home.” 

More information on the program can be found on the PSW Learn and Earn webpage.