Ottawa-based program to train up to 120 personal support workers by December

An Ottawa-based program, that matches people who have difficulty entering the work force with jobs, is set to train up to 120 personal support workers by this December, all at no cost to its trainees.

The 'Earn as You Learn' program, which starts March 22, will be run by the Pinecrest-Queensway Community Health Centre.

According to the health centre's employment programs manager Rhonda Beauregard, it will prioritize those furthest from the labour market, including people who are currently unemployed, living in low-income housing, or are facing other barriers preventing them from finding work.

The centre is also expected to work with employers in significant need of help, to get them applicants sooner than the length of a typical college program for personal support workers, which can run about 26 weeks on average.

However, Beauregard adds, the program isn't exactly fast-tracked.

“We were able to work with the colleges to rearrange a few of the course so we could provide the students with the competencies, both the hard and soft skills competencies that would be needed to enter the work force early,” she explains in an interview with the Rob Snow Show on Tuesday, February 23.

Beauregard adds, the program is unique to what they do at the health centre. This particular program is also going to pair those who facing employment barriers with counselors, who will be able to provide supports to them. This includes referrals to literacy and basic skill training, links to support networks for things such as child care, assistance with costs, along with follow-up one year after the trainee graduates from the program.

The program is part of Ontario's $4.1-million in funding to train personal support workers across the province.

Soft skills training for the program starts on March 22, while college training begins March 29. Applications are currently open online, or can be arranged by calling the health centre at (613)-288-3880.