Personal Support Worker (PSW)

Our Personal Support Worker Program is an accredited program taught by teachers with nursing backgrounds.  Student placements are supervised by RPNs or RNs.  Learn more by clicking here

Acceptance subject to completion of a literacy requirement and personal interview.

Read more about how to become a personal support worker by clicking here.

Our Mission and Vision

Mission

To be an inclusive learning community that inspires every student to reach their full potential through education and training.

Vision

By fostering positive relationships between school and community, students in the PSW program will learn and work in an environment where every person is: 

  • Safe and welcomed 
  • Accepted and valued 
  • Heard and engaged 
  • Supported and prepared 

Registration

To begin the registration process, you must sign up for an orientation session (below).  The orientation begins with a literacy test.  

Orientation is mandatory less than one year prior to course start date. You MUST complete the orientation process by successfully passing the literacy test and interview.  Successful candidates will be provided with the link for registration and will be required to upload Photo ID (Health Card or Driver Licence), Birth Certificate and/or Permanent Resident or Citizenship Card with the registration.

LITERACY TESTS/Orientation Session for the April 2024 Program

 Oshawa Day School Program - April 2024
 

April 2024 Program:

Orientation/Literacy Test Dates for

Day Program - Oshawa

 

March 27

2:00 - 4:00 p.m. 

 

Location: 850 King St. W., Unit 26 - Entrance is on the lower level of the plaza.

 

Please click on the blue button to register for the March 27, 2024 Literacy Test/Orientation.  Registration closes when orientation is full. 

 

Click here to Register

 

LITERACY TESTS/Orientation Sessions for 2024-25 School Year

 Ajax Day School Program - September 2024
 

September 2024 Program:

Orientation/Literacy Test Dates for

Day Program - Ajax

 

April 3 (FULL), May 1, June 5 (2024)

12:30 - 2:30 p.m.

 

Location: Ajax Campus - 458 Fairall St., Unit 7

 

Please click on the blue button to register for the May 1, 2024 Literacy Test/Orientation.  Registration closes on April 30, 2024 at 12 Noon.

 

Click here to Register

 

 

 Oshawa Day School Program - September 2024
 

September 2024 Program:

Orientation/Literacy Test for Dates for

Day Program - Oshawa

 

April 3 (FULL), May 1, June 5 (2024)

12:30 - 2:30 p.m.

 

 

Location: Oshawa Campus - 850 King St. W., Unit 26


Please click on the blue button to register for the May 1, 2024 Literacy Test/Orientation.  Registration closes on April 30, 2024 at 12 Noon.

 

Click here to Register 

 PSW North (Port Perry) Day Program - September 2024
 

September 2024 Program:

 

Orientation/Literacy Test Dates:  2024 

April 3, May 1, June 5 (2024)

1:15 - 3:15 p.m.                                

 

 

Location: Good Shepherd CS - 1650 Reach St. Port Perry

                                                                                                                  Please click on the blue button to register for the April 3, 2024 Literacy Test/Orientation.  Registration closes on April 2, 2024 at 12 Noon.                                                                                                                                   


Click here to Register

 

 

2023-24 School Year Schedule 

Oshawa Classes

Sessions  Dates Day Times

Semester 1

Sept. 11, 2023 - March 7, 2024

Monday to Friday

8:30 a.m. - 1:50 p.m. (Classroom)
Placement 8 hours/day (am or pm) including weekends
Semester 2 Jan. 8, 2024 - June 25, 2024 Monday to Friday  8:30 a.m. - 1:50 p.m.
(Classroom)
Placement 8 hours/day (am or pm) including weekends
Semester 3 April 26 - November 6, 2024 Monday to Friday

8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. (Classroom)

Placement 8 hours/day (am or pm) including weekends

Part-time Evenings

Sept. 11, 2023 - June 24, 2024 Monday & Wednesday

6:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. (Classroom)

Plus 7 Saturdays

Placement 8 hours/day (am or pm) 

Ajax Classes  

Sessions  Dates Day Times

Semester 1

Sept. 11, 2023 - March 7, 2024

Monday to Friday

8:30 a.m. - 1:50 p.m.(Classroom)

Placement 8 hours/day (am or pm) including weekends

Semester 2 Jan. 8, 2024 - June 25, 2024 Monday to Friday

8:30 a.m. - 1:50 p.m.(Classroom)

Placement 8 hours/day (am or pm) including weekends

Part-time Evenings

Sept. 12, 2023 - June 20, 2024 Tuesday & Thursday 

6:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Plus 5 Saturdays (8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.)

Placement 8 hours/day (am or pm)

Port Perry Classes  

Sessions  Dates Day Times

Semester 1

Sept. 11, 2023 - March 7, 2024

Monday to Friday

8:30 a.m. - 1:50 p.m. (Classroom - 2 days/week in-person and 3 days/week online)

Placement 8 hours/day (am or pm) including weekends

Semester 2

Jan. 8, 2024 - June 25, 2024 

Monday to Friday

8:30 a.m. - 1:50 p.m. (Classroom - 2 days/week in-person and 3 days/week online)

Placement 8 hours/day (am or pm) including weekends

Tuition:  
Materials Fee:

 

Covers workshops, First Aid/CPR-C, name badge and certificates in food handling, feeding, Alzheimer's and GPA. 

Admission Requirements:
  • 18 years of age or older;
  • written medical clearance from your doctor;
  • Two Step TB Test;
  • Flu Vaccination;
  • clear Criminal Record/Vulnerable Sector Check*;
  • a minimum score of 80 per cent on the Literacy Test;
  • successful personal interview;
  • proof of Canadian citizenship/permanent residency. 

*For the PSW North program (Port Perry), students must have the clear Criminal Record, Vulnerable Sector check complete prior to the start of the program and must be 6 months recent.

 

Pre-PSW Program

The Pre-PSW program provides opportunities for students to strengthen their literacy skills and prepare for success in the Personal Support Worker Program.  This program is available at both the Ajax and Oshawa locations. 

Adult Upgrading

Students register for the PSW literacy preparation through the Adult Upgrading Program.  Adult upgrading is continuous intake.  Visit the Adult Upgrading webpage for details about how to register.

Pre-PSW Program

Date: TBD

Format: Program will be run online with regular in-person support available.

Registration: Students will receive an invitation to the Pre-PSW program after their acceptance.

Student Testimonial

My name is Erin and I’m currently working as a Personal Support Worker as I graduated from the PSW program at Archbishop Anthony Meagher CCEC. Here’s my experience:

I first started out in the Personal Support Worker program at College. I did not like the environment that I was in, so I had resigned.  A year later I decided to take the Personal Support Worker program at the Durham Catholic  District School Board and man, did I ever make a good choice. Despite such a difficult and at times stressful year due to covid, my teacher was with us the whole time, supporting us and ensuring that we were doing our best at all times, which definitely helped the year go by a lot smoother.  To anyone who plans to become a Personal Support Worker in the future and likes an environment with lots of supportive teachers, Principals, and a supportive school overall, I HIGHLY recommend you take the program at Archbishop Anthony Meagher.  Trust me, you won’t regret it! 

Currently, I am very happily working as a Part Time Personal Support Worker in a Long Term Care Home and without the help of my amazing teacher and the amazing staff at the Durham Catholic School Board all year long, this wouldn’t be possible! 

Erin, former PSW student


Continuing Education reserves the right to revise or modify programming due to Covid-19 measures.

For more information, contact the Oshawa Campus at credit.reg@dcdsb.ca or the Ajax Campus at cont.ed@dcdsb.ca