Personal Support Worker

Updated January 29, 2025

Spring 2025 PSW program is full but we are accepting inquiries and registration applications for the fall 2025 program now.

We also welcome your inquiries at any time.

Please email psw@tvdsb.ca for more information.

The Personal Support Worker, or PSW, is a caregiver who works under the direction of a supervisor (e.g.  Registered Nurse or Registered Practical Nurse) and may be employed in long-term care homes, private residences or community-based settings.

Personal Support Workers (PSW) strive to promote well-being and independence among the individuals or families they support who require assistance with personal care needs. Clients may include seniors and individuals of any age who are mentally or physically challenged.

Typically, you can earn $20 to $25/hour as a certified PSW. If your schedule is flexible, employment is guaranteed. We have an 90% employment rate for our students.

Program Information

The Personal Support Worker Program is a cooperative education program which includes 330 hours of classroom theory and lab instruction followed by 330 hours of on-the-job training in agencies that employ Personal Support Workers.

The on-the-job training involves clinical placement  work experience in a long-term care home. Following the clinical placement, a community placement involves work experience in an assisted living facility, independent living facility, group home, adult day program, hospice, respite care facility for children, community health agency, or a school.

Candidates are eligible to earn six senior credits toward an Ontario Secondary School Diploma as well as successful students are certified as a qualified Personal Support Worker.
Admission Requirements and Entrance Criteria

  • Be 18 years or older

  • Recommended:  

    • Grade 9 Math

    • Grade 9 Science (applied or academic level)

  • English

    • A minimum of Grade 11 English (college or university level)

    • For ESL students we recommend Benchmark 7 in all areas (reading, writing, listening and speaking) and Grade 11 English.  Proficiency may be reviewed based on prior education

  • Complete a brief personal interview with the Department Head or a PSW teacher

  • Provide at least two reference forms from a past employer, supervisor, volunteer coordinator, or former teacher (these forms are provided with the application)

  • Show proof of Canadian citizenship/immigration status in the form of a Birth Certificate, Passport, Citizenship card, Permanent Resident Card, Refugee Claimant Document, or other current Immigration Papers.

  • Students are responsible for their own transportation to and from clinical and community placements

  • Have a fitness level necessary to complete assigned duties (lifting is required).
  • A complete Medical Review Record must be signed by your Family Physician or Nurse Practitioner and submitted by the due date specified. The Medical Review Record form will be provided with the application.
  • A clear Police Vulnerable Sector Check which is less than one month old

  • In addition to the above, you must possess the following personal attributes:

    • Emotional maturity
    • A sincere interest in helping others
    • A sense of responsibility, reliability, and integrity
    • The ability to work cooperatively under the direction of other health care workers

Registration

Email us at psw@tvdsb.ca to begin the registration process. Please include a copy of your transcript or educational documents with your request. We will contact you to determine next steps.

 

Interviews will be scheduled after full registration package has been received.
Frequently Asked Questions
Registration Questions
How can I obtain a copy of my transcript to apply for the PSW Program?
  • If you are a current or recent student of G.A. Wheable: Contact Student Services to obtain a copy of your transcript.
  • If you attended a secondary school within TVDSB: Contact the Records Centre at www.tvdsb.ca/transcripts 
  • If you attended secondary school outside of TVDSB: Contact your previous school, or school board, for your transcript.
 Can I transfer from another PSW program to Wheable and just take the co-op portion? 
No. To qualify for our program's clinical and community co-op placements, you need a reference from our teachers, based on their observation of your skills when you are attending our theory and lab classes.

 Models of Learning Questions
 Is the PSW Program online or in-person? 
The in-class portion is majority in-person at our G.A. Wheable Centre in London, Ontario, with one day per week (Friday) online.
  Can I take the classes in the evening, or on weekends?
PSW Program courses are not offered in the evening or on weekends. However, there may be circumstances where the student may be required to attend their Clinical or Community placement in the evening or on the weekend.
The PSW Program is comprised of 4 components:
  • Theory, in class from 8:00am - 2:30pm Monday to Friday
  • Lab, in class from 8:00am - 2:30pm Monday to Friday
  • Clinical, in a Long Term Care facility, 8 hours per day, which may be anytime from 5:30am to 10:30pm Monday to Friday
  • Community, with a community partner that utilizes PSWs, 8 hours per day, typically from 8:00am to 4:00pm Monday to Friday, however these times are not guaranteed and depend on the need of the community partner
In general, the four components follow this schedule:
Fall Program:
  • Theory and Lab: September, October, and November 
  • Clinical: December
  • Community: January
Spring Program:
  • Theory and Lab: February, March, and April 
  • Clinical: May
  • Community: June
 Financial Questions
 I am on OW/ODSP. Can I apply?
Yes. Please consult with your caseworker about the possibility of having incidental costs covered (i.e. bus pass, etc.).
 Is the Government still covering the program fee?

As of November 2023, the Ontario Government announced that they will be funding program costs for students that are accepted into the PSW program and have eligible citizenship/immigration status with related documentation.  This may include the following documentation:  

  • Canadian Citizenship
  • Permanent Resident 
  • Refugee Protection Claimant 
  • CUAET program participants 
Therefore, at this time, you are not required to pay the program fee of $1750, unless you have been informed otherwise.
 
Note:  International Student Fees (Work/Study permits):  We are unable to accept International fee paying students at this time.
 
For more information, please email psw@tvdsb.ca 
What does the PSW program fee cover?

The program fee (funded by the Ontario Government) covers the cost of the following items:

  • Lab and materials fee
  • Textbook and workbook
  • Access to online resources
  • 2 uniforms and 2 school crests
  • Identification badge
  • Standard First Aid and Level C Healthcare Provider CPR/AED training
  • WHMIS training
  • Safe Food Handling Certificate
  • Gentle Persuasive Approaches Certificate
  • Employability and job search skills related to the PSW field
  • PSW certificate and Ontario Student Transcript

Students accepted into the program may be required to supply other items not included in the program fee.

What if I am from another country?   *** UPDATED ***

If you are a Permanent Resident, Refugee Claimant, or in the CUAET program,  you are not required to pay international fees (current IRCC documents are required).

International students on a Work, Study, or Visitor permit may not register for the PSW Program. 
Program Schedule

The PSW Program is approximately 5 months in length (terms are September to January and January to June).

Classes run: Monday to Friday - 8:00 am to 2:30 pm

*Hours for Clinical placement (in long-term care homes) and community placement (in community-based settings) are site specific and can be anytime between 5:30 am and 11:00 pm.*

Wheable arranges clinical placements and assists students in arranging community placements.
Personal Support Worker Certificate

Graduates will receive a Personal Support Worker certificate and transcript once upon successful completion of the program.

Future confirmation of your certificate will be provided via a current copy of your transcript.  Transcripts are the legal document used to verify program completion. Certificates will not be replaced or reproduced.

Confirmation of PSW certificate can be obtained by contacting the Assistant for PSW, Apprenticeship, Co-op and Guidance at 519-452-2000 ext. 69730.
 Contact
In Person (Monday to Friday):
  • 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. - Student Services Office, Room M247, G. A. Wheable Centre, 70 Jacqueline Street, London ON

Phone: 519-452-2000 extension 69730

Email: psw@tvdsb.ca

Contact Us