Personal Support Worker

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.

You can earn $16 to $23/hour as a certified PSW. If your schedule is flexible, employment is guaranteed. We have an 85% employment rate for our students.

Program Information

Semester 1 of the PSW Program is now closed.  We are now looking for applicants for our program for semester 2!

The Personal Support Worker Program is a cooperative education program which includes 410 hours of classroom theory and 306 hours of on-the-job training in agencies that employ Personal Support Workers.

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

Candidates are eligible to earn seven senior credits toward an Ontario Secondary School Diploma as well as sucessful students are certified as a qualified Personal Support Worker.
Information Sessions

Applicants are asked to call or email to set up an interview.

Contact information is:  Student Services (Room M245) at

519 452 2000 EX 69730 or email psw@tvsb.ca.

Application forms will be provided at the interview and you must bring:

  • Proof of citizenship (passport, birth certificate, Canadian citizenship card, permanent resident card or landed immigrant status)
  • Photo identification (Drivers Licence, Health Card or Ontario Photo ID Card)
  • A copy of your high school transcript or credit counselling summary

Interviews occur on an on-going basis.
Admission Requirements and Entrance Criteria
To apply to the Personal Support Worker Program, you must:
  • Attend one or more interviews

  • Write a PSW Program Assessment Test at the information session

  • Have a minimum of Grade 9 Math and Science (can be applied or academic level)

  • Have a minimum of Grade 11 English (can be college, mixed, or university level, if you are an ESL student, you must complete Benchmark 7 in all areas (reading, writing, listening and speaking) and a Grade 10 English credit course prior to completing Grade 11 English

  • 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, etc. at the interview (these forms are given out with the application)

  • Be 18 years or older

  • Show proof of citizenship, permanent residency, or landed immigrant status

  • Be able to travel to and from 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 given out with the application.
  • Produce a clear Police Vulnerable Sector Check by the due date specified

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

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

The PSW Program is approximately 6 months in length.
Programs run: August to January and January to June

Classes run:
Monday to Friday - 8:00 am to 3:45 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 6:00 am and 12:00 midnight and will include weekends.* The school arranges all placements.
Program Costs
The fees for 2018-19 are $1,750.00. This is a substantially lower cost than other training providers.

All fees must be paid in full before the first day of classes. Please be advised that there are no full or partial refunds. The Specialized Programming Fee covers the cost of the following items:

  • Lab and materials fee
  • Textbook and workbook
  • 2 uniforms and 2 School crests
  • Identification badge
  • Standard First Aid and Level C Healthcare Provider CPR/AED training
  • Mask fit testing
  • WHMIS training
  • Alzheimer Information Series/U-First Certificate
  • Safe Food Handling Certificate
  • Gentle Persuasive Approaches Certificate
  • Resume and Cover Letter writing and Interview skills workshop
  • Home Support Exercise Program Certificate
  • Resume and Cover Letter writing workshop
  • PSW certificate and composite photo

Students accepted into the program will be required to supply other items not included in the Specialized Programming Fee.
Graduation Certificate

Graduates will receive a Personal Support Worker graduation envelope containing a PSW certificate, transcript, and final exam certificate once all fees are paid and all course and placement requirements are completed.

Replacement forms are available at a cost of $15 each.

Employment References

Graduates may obtain an employment reference, 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

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