Personal Support Worker
The Personal Support Worker program gives you the training and credentials to provide practical support services to individuals and families in need of help. It's a satisfying, people-focused career.
Program Information
Start Date
May 04, 2026
Domestic Availability
Accepting Applications
International Availability
Accepting Applications
CIP Code
51.2602
Program Code
PWS
Delivery
In Person, Hybrid
Credential
Ontario College Certificate
Academic School
Location
Program Contact
Domestic Tuition
per semester*
International Tuition
per semester*
View Curriculum
September 08, 2026
Domestic Availability
Accepting Applications
International Availability
Accepting Applications
CIP Code
51.2602
Program Code
PWS
Delivery
In Person, Hybrid
Credential
Ontario College Certificate
Academic School
Location
Program Contact
Domestic Tuition
per semester*
International Tuition
per semester*
*Domestic tuition amounts shown are from the 2025-2026 academic year and are subject to change.
*International tuition amounts shown are from the 2025-2026 academic year and are subject to change.
View Curriculum
September 08, 2026
Domestic Availability
Accepting Applications
International Availability
Accepting Applications
CIP Code
51.2602
Program Code
PWF
Delivery
In Person, Hybrid
Credential
Ontario College Certificate
Academic School
Location
Program Contact
Domestic Tuition
per semester*
International Tuition
per semester*
*Domestic tuition amounts shown are from the 2025-2026 academic year and are subject to change.
*International tuition amounts shown are from the 2025-2026 academic year and are subject to change.
View Curriculum
January 11, 2027
Domestic Availability
Accepting Applications
International Availability
Accepting Applications
CIP Code
51.2602
Program Code
PWS
Delivery
In Person, Hybrid
Credential
Ontario College Certificate
Academic School
Location
Program Contact
Domestic Tuition
per semester*
International Tuition
per semester*
*Domestic tuition amounts shown are from the 2025-2026 academic year and are subject to change.
*International tuition amounts shown are from the 2025-2026 academic year and are subject to change.
View Curriculum
January 11, 2027
Domestic Availability
Accepting Applications
International Availability
Accepting Applications
CIP Code
51.2602
Program Code
PWF
Delivery
In Person, Hybrid
Credential
Ontario College Certificate
Academic School
Location
Program Contact
Domestic Tuition
per semester*
International Tuition
per semester*
*Domestic tuition amounts shown are from the 2025-2026 academic year and are subject to change.
*International tuition amounts shown are from the 2025-2026 academic year and are subject to change.
View Curriculum
May 10, 2027
Domestic Availability
Accepting Applications
International Availability
Accepting Applications
CIP Code
51.2602
Program Code
PWS
Delivery
In Person, Hybrid
Credential
Ontario College Certificate
Academic School
Location
Program Contact
Domestic Tuition
per semester*
International Tuition
per semester*
*Domestic tuition amounts shown are from the 2025-2026 academic year and are subject to change.
*International tuition amounts shown are from the 2025-2026 academic year and are subject to change.
View Curriculum
As a graduate of the Personal Support Worker program, you will provide personal support services to individuals and families in need of assistance. With this satisfying, people-focused career, you will be prepared to assist children, adults, and seniors with special needs or disabilities, and help them maximize their life experience. You can start the program in September or January or May.
This two-semester Personal Support Worker certificate may particularly appeal to those re-entering the workforce. In total, you'll get approximately 400 hours of relevant theory and approximately 300 hours of real-life, clinical training. The focus of this program is on:
- lab components throughout both semesters
- hands-on, task-oriented skills and practice time
- course content related to long term care and to community care to diversify your experience
- innovative new lab facilities that simulate the work environment
- more theory related to practice
The College ensures the program follows ministry guidelines, and as such, the program is widely recognized by agencies and related employers. There's a consistently high, over 90 per cent employment rate for graduates of this program -- you might be hired before you finish the course.
The course load, teachers and curriculum exceeded my expectations. I was challenged by some of the curriculum, which I greatly enjoyed. I also felt like I belonged. I completed 180 placement hours, and it was as if my textbook was coming to life. The placements were absolutely educational and equipped us for the actual job.
Lindsay Barr, Program Graduate
Fleming College now offers a bridge program for Personal Support Worker (PSW) graduates to meet admission requirements for entry to the Practical Nursing program:
- To be eligible for the bridge program, you must present an official transcript indicating that you are a Personal Support Worker graduate
- After successfully completing the required part-time courses, PSWs will be eligible to enter into the next available second semester of our full-time Practical Nursing program
The bridge program for PSWs who graduated with an Ontario College Certificate in or after 2006 is generally 2 courses. For all other PSW graduates, the bridge program is typically 5 or 6 courses. Your application will be assessed to determine which bridge courses you need and if you are eligible for any exemptions.
See the Personal Support Worker Bridge to Practical Nursing page for more information.
You have a desire to work with and care for people of all ages to assist them to attain their physical, emotional, mental and spiritual needs. The following personality traits and skills would also be an asset in your studies and eventual career:
- empathy
- concern for improving others' quality of life
- respect for cultural differences and family dynamics
- excellent interpersonal skills
- self-discipline
- good oral communication skills
- good physical health
Volunteer work experience of any kind is an asset, as is any previous experience caring for people of differing needs and abilities. Students would benefit by having basic computer skills including e-mail, word processing, file management and web browsing.
PSWs are in demand in Ontario and employment options are varied. Choose from a variety of work settings:
- long-term care facilities
- group homes
- private homes
- hospitals
- retirement homes
- adult day centres
- home care agencies
- supportive housing
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Digital Textbook Cost | $286.25 + HST for both semesters. | |
| Kit Cost | $82.99 | $14.99 |
| Field Placement expenses | Travel and or parking costs - varies depending on placement location. | |
| Uniforms/program shirts | 1 pair of scrubs + name tag included in tuition. Recommended to purchase a second uniform at the cost of $32 + HST for top and $30 + HST for bottoms. | |
| NARS Cost | Costs may vary. Check here for full details: https://department.flemingcollege.ca/nars/ |
Your program has mandatory requirements which may include a criminal reference check, first aid, CPR-C, etc. For more information, please see the Non Academic Requirements page.
Failure to provide any of the required Non Academic Field Requirements by the specified due date will result in an inability to participate in the mandatory placement components of the program.
- Work within the personal support worker role in various care settings in accordance with all applicable legislation, standards, employer job descriptions, policies, procedures and guidelines.
- Practice professionally and be accountable for one's own actions by applying problem-solving, self-awareness, time management and critical thinking to the provision of care as a personal support worker, whether working independently or as a member of a team.
- Practice as an engaged member of the interprofessional team to maintain collaborative working relationships for the provision of supportive, safe, responsive and competent client-centred care within care settings.
- Provide person-centred care, based on ethical principles, sensitive to diverse personal and family values, beliefs, cultural practices and other needs, which follows the plan of care.
- Establish and maintain therapeutic relationships with clients and their families using effective communication skills to build a genuine, trusting, and respectful partnership, in accordance with professional boundaries, employer policies, confidentiality, and privacy legislation.
- Identify relevant client information within the roles and responsibilities of the personal support worker using observation, critical thinking, and effective communication skills to report and document findings.
- Create, promote and maintain a safe and comfortable environment for clients, their families, self and others by implementing current infection prevention and control measures, emergency and first aid procedures, and best practices in pandemic planning that are in keeping with the plan of care, all applicable legislation, and employer policies and procedures.
- Assist clients across the lifespan with activities of daily living by applying fundamental knowledge of growth and development, psychological concepts, common alterations in functioning, health promotion, disease prevention, rehabilitation and restorative care, and holistic health care.
- Assist the client with medication following the client's plan of care, and if a delegated act, under the supervision of a regulated health professional or done by exception under the most accountable person and in accordance with all applicable legislation and employer policies.
- Assist with household management services and instrumental activities of daily living in accordance with the plan of care and considering the preferences, comfort, safety and autonomy of clients, families and significant others.
- Assist and support clients who are caregivers, considering individual and family choices, professional boundaries and the direction of the plan of care.
- Identify, respond to and report potential, alleged, suspected or witnessed situations of abuse, and/or neglect, as required by all applicable legislation, including the Retirement Homes Act, 2010 and the Long-Term Care Homes Act, 2007, and as required within the employers' job description for the personal support workers.
- Assist with the provision of holistic health care and advocacy for culturally safe and spiritually sensitive palliative and end-of-life care to clients and to their families and significant others from diagnosis through to death and bereavement, and in accordance with clients' choices and the plan of care.
- Provide client-centered and client-directed care to individuals experiencing various mental health illness and challenges, cognitive and intellectual impairments, and/or responsive behaviours by using supportive approaches and evidence-based practices to promote positive and safe behaviours in clients.
Students applying to Personal Support Worker must meet the following requirements:
- OSSD with majority of credits at the Workplace (E) level including Gr 12 (E)English
Watch our Webinar Wednesday Recording
In The News: Personal Support Worker
Last week, we hosted a Webinar Wednesday session shining a spotlight on our Personal Support Worker (PSW) program. If you couldn’t join us virtually, don’t worry. Below are the highlights from the session, along with the full recording below to watch at your convenience.
Fleming College’s PSW program, within the School of Health and Community Services. is recognized for its hands-on learning, immersive clinical experience, and supportive learning environment. During the webinar, prospective students heard from Shannon in Student Recruitment, along with Carlie Conlin, Program Coordinator, and Madison Dimacakos, Clinical Coordinator, who shared what the program looks like in practice. They highlighted flexible delivery options across multiple campuses, including the unique living classroom model, as well as the strong focus on lab-based learning, simulation, and early clinical placements. The session also explored career outcomes after graduation, showcasing the high demand for PSWs and the range of opportunities available in healthcare settings.
Why Personal Support Worker at Fleming?
Choosing the PSW program at Fleming College is about more than earning a certificate, it’s about being fully prepared for the realities of healthcare from your very first semester. Whether you’re starting a new career or building on existing experience, this program is designed to help you enter the workforce with confidence. Through a strong blend of foundational theory, hands-on skills labs, simulation-based learning, and approximately 300 hours of clinical placements, students build both the technical abilities and the confidence needed to succeed in real care environments. With early exposure to long-term care, community settings, and real clients, you graduate with meaningful, practical experience already behind you. Combined with strong industry connections, career support, and opportunities to continue into nursing through bridging pathways, Fleming equips you with the skills, experience, and professional readiness to step directly into a rewarding and in-demand healthcare career.
Three Key Takeaways
1. Early and extensive hands-on clinical experience
One of the biggest advantages of Fleming’s PSW program is how quickly you move beyond theory into hands-on learning. With about 400 hours of coursework and 300 hours of clinical placement, you’re not just learning in a classroom, you’re actively building skills in real care environments. Students begin placement as early as the end of their first semester, applying skills they’ve already practiced in lab. These placements progress from supported group settings in long-term care or retirement homes to more independent, preceptor-led experiences in community settings. This step-by-step approach helps students build confidence, competence, and real-world readiness before graduation.
2. Flexible program delivery, including a fully immersive “living classroom”
Students can choose from multiple program streams at the Sutherland (Peterborough) or Frost (Lindsay) campuses, or opt for the living classroom model, where learning takes place directly inside a long-term care home. In this immersive option, students work alongside healthcare teams from day one, building relationships with residents and gaining hands-on experience in a real care environment throughout the program. All streams follow the same curriculum and lead to the same credential, allowing students to choose the format and location that best fits their lifestyle and learning preferences.
3. Strong employment outcomes and clear pathways for career advancement
The webinar highlighted a 94% graduate employment rate, reflecting the high demand for PSWs across Ontario. Students often secure job opportunities directly through their placements, sometimes even before completing the program. Graduates can pursue roles in long-term care, retirement homes, hospitals, and community care settings. For those looking to advance further, Fleming also offers a PSW to Practical Nursing bridge, allowing graduates to continue their education and enter directly into the second semester of the nursing program after completing a small number of additional courses.
CHECK OUT THE FULL WEBINAR:
HAVE QUESTIONS OR WANT TO LEARN MORE?
If this session sparked your interest or you’re considering a future as a Personal Support Worker, we’d love to connect with you. Our Student Recruitment. team and program representatives are here to answer questions, help you explore admission pathways, or guide you toward the right next step. Be sure to check out our upcoming Webinar Wednesday sessions online. We’re hosting new topics in the months ahead and it’s a great way to learn more about programs that excite you.
CAN’T?MAKE A LIVE WEBINAR WEDNESDAY EVENT??
No problem! We’ll save video recordings on Fleming’s official YouTube channel. And?don’t?worry, Program Coordinators are always available to answer your questions!???
For more information about Webinar Wednesdays, please contact Student Recruitment.?
Whether you’ve been accepted into a Fleming program but couldn’t join us last fall, or you’re just realizing that now is the perfect time to start your education, we have a spot waiting for you. We’d be excited to welcome you to campus for the upcoming spring semester!
Here’s why?starting your Fleming adventure in spring is?the?smart?choice:?
- A career head start:?Enter the workforce months ahead of fall graduates?
- Smaller class sizes:?Get more direct guidance and support from expert faculty?
- Quick access to services:?With fewer students on campus,?you’ll?have easier access to the resources you need to succeed?
The good news is that updating your Fleming application for a spring start is simple and your application fee is already covered.
You’re just a few steps closer to the Fleming experience!
Check to see if your program offers a spring start by clicking here. If it is, take the next step to update your college application:
How to Update Your Application for Spring Start
- Log into ontariocolleges.ca with your credentials.
- Select "Apply" on the left-hand side once you are logged in.
- Select "Continue Application", then select "Application Cycle: August 1, 2025 - July 31, 2026".
- Select "Choose Programs" across the top menu.
- If you already have a program selected, choose "Change/Add Program Choices". (If you do not have a program selected, continue to the next step.)
- Search for your program and filter the results by selecting "Fleming" from the "All Colleges" drop-down.
- Review the program details carefully to confirm the spring start date.
- Select "Add" once you’ve confirmed the correct semester start date.
- Review your choice(s) on the left-hand side and select "Save and Continue".
- You will now see your updated selections. From here, you can continue through the application process as you did previously or select "Review" from the top menu to ensure all information is accurate.
Once submitted, we’ll receive your updated application and reach out to you with more information, taking you one step closer to starting your Fleming experience this spring.
Have Questions? Our Student Recruitment team is here to guide you through every step. Whether you’re curious about a program or need help with the application process, reach out to us at askus@flemingcollege.ca.
We hope to see you on campus this spring!
Ready to apply to Fleming for the first time?
If you’re new to Fleming, now is the time to secure your spot for a spring start and join a vibrant campus community. Take the first step toward a rewarding career this spring.
Lindsay, ON (September 17, 2024) - Fleming College is bringing its highly sought-after Personal Support Worker program to Lindsay’s Frost Campus this winter through a unique, state-of-the-art mobile laboratory that will help expand health care in the City of Kawartha Lakes.
There is a tremendous need for qualified personal support workers across Ontario and within the Lindsay community. The Province of Ontario estimates that it will need up to 24,000 qualified personal support workers by 2026.
Fleming College is investing in the community and Frost Campus as it works to fill the demand.
A new mobile lab will train 64 potential personal support workers using state-of-the art equipment. Over the course of two semesters, students will receive 400 hours of theory and hands-on laboratory experience, combined with 300 hours of real-life training to launch them into successful health care careers.
“This mobile laboratory allows us to conveniently bring health care training into the heart of Lindsay and the surrounding regions,” said Fleming College president, Maureen Adamson. “These students will offer health care support to the local community during their placements and upon graduation.”
"I am thrilled to see Fleming College taking such a proactive approach in addressing the healthcare needs of our region. The introduction of this mobile PSW lab is a game-changer for our community, providing accessible and high-quality training right here in Lindsay. This initiative will not only equip our students with valuable skills but it will ultimately enhance the overall healthcare services available locally," said Laurie Scott, MPP, Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock.
Fleming’s new mobile lab allows the college to deliver PSW training across our region without the need to renovate a physical space. The program curriculum is identical to the renowned and sought after PSW program offered at Fleming’s Sutherland Campus.
The mobile PSW program will be located at Fleming’s Frost Campus in the winter of 2025, with the potential to expand to other communities within our region to provide localized training for aspiring personal support workers.
Fleming College is committed to enhancing and developing high-quality healthcare programs to better serve the needs of our region. This new mobile PSW laboratory will provide PSWs in the City of Kawartha Lakes with the essential training and resources to deliver exceptional care and support to their local communities.
For media enquiries, please contact:
Sarah Deeth
Communications Officer
sarah.deeth@flemingcollege.ca
705-749-5530 ext. 1161
About Fleming College
Fleming College respectfully acknowledges that we are situated on Michi Saagiig Anishinaabeg lands and territory. Located in the heart of Central Ontario, Fleming College has campus locations in Peterborough, Lindsay, Cobourg and Haliburton. Named for famous Canadian inventor and engineer Sir Sandford Fleming, the college features more than 100 full-time programs in Arts and Heritage, Business, Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences, General Arts and Sciences, Health and Wellness, Justice and Community Development, Skilled Trades and Technology, and Continuing Education. Fleming College has more than 6,800 full-time and 10,000 part-time students, and 80,000 alumni.
Web: flemingcollege.ca
Facebook: facebook.com/flemingcollege
Twitter: @FlemingCollege on X
Instagram: @flemingcollege on Instagram
TikTok: @flemingcollege on TikTok