Canadore College West Parry Sound Campus training PSWs to meet growing demand in the local region
Oct 15, 2020 | Cindy Males, Public Relations and Communications Specialist
The Parry Sound area needs Personal Support Workers, and Canadore College is working to fill that void. More than a dozen students are studying at the West Parry Sound Campus, and that’s a banner year for the program. That’s in addition to the eight students who recently finished their studies and are ready to get to work.
“This is another example of how Canadore College is working with local industry to meet current and future needs,” said George Burton, Canadore President and CEO.
“There is a critical shortage of PSWs in the Parry Sound area, indeed provincially. By offering a PSW program in northern communities we are able to support members of our community, including members of our team, to pursue their dream of a rewarding career in healthcare,” said Kami Johnson, Administrator of Belvedere Heights Long Term Care. “I worked as a PSW throughout college and it was one of the best experiences of my life! Every day I made a real and tangible difference in the lives of others, and the wisdom and experiences they shared with me helped to inform the type of health care professional I wanted to be.”
“Becoming a PSW is a rewarding career that allows a person to give back to the community by providing care and support to mostly the senior population”. said Barbara O’Brien, RPN, Director of Wellness at The Gardens of Parry Sound Retirement Residence. “And there will be job positions right across Ontario for those choosing to enhance their education by becoming a PSW”.
Canadore is planning to continue the PSW program, welcoming Parry Sound students into the online North Bay cohort for January 2021. “We will be looking for 5-10 Parry Sound local students,” said Lee-Ann Turner, West Parry Sound Campus Supervisor. “The innovation here is that we will offer the labs at the West Parry Sound Campus, and clinical placements in West Parry Sound.”
“This is another innovative partnership between Canadore College and local employers with the goal of keeping post-secondary education local and meeting the needs of the community we serve,” said Turner.
Students looking to participate in the PSW program should contact Nancy Bush, at 705.474.7600 x 5145 or Nancy.Bush@canadorecollege.ca