NEWS RELEASE
SAULT COLLEGE
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There is a shortage of health care workers in our community. In response to this community need, Sault College developed a unique partnership with Algoma Manor in Thessalon to offer the Personal Support Worker (PSW) program directly in the community. The partnership with Algoma Manor was developed by the College through its Continuing Education and Employment Solutions departments. The joint effort was made to assist rural communities along the north shore, who are having difficulty filling PSW vacancies.
“The need for more PSWs in the area was identified by Algoma Manor and Employment Solutions Blind River,” said Lori Crosson, Program Manager, Continuing Education, Sault College. “Once these needs were identified, we worked together on offering the program to assist employers and our students. We are focused on providing access to education for all and this was one way we could help to accomplish this goal,” she added.
The program, which is offered through Sault College’s Continuing Education department, began May 24 and runs through to mid-December. It currently has 16 full-time students, eleven of which are sponsored by Algoma Manor through the Canada Ontario Job Grant.
Other students have been sponsored by various businesses, Indigenous supports and through the Second Career program. COJG provides opportunities for employers, individually or in groups, to increase the skills of their workforce with help from the government. COJG provides direct financial support to individual employers or employer consortia applicants who wish to purchase training for their employees. It is available to small, medium and large businesses with a plan to deliver training to employees.
The programming takes place at Algoma Manor with Sault College instructors delivering the curriculum. For Algoma Manor offering this program is critical to the service they provide.
“It is a truly unique opportunity to be able to receive a post-secondary education in a rural community and have it covered financially through the Ontario Canada Job Grant. It is a wonderful example of how grant dollars can be used to the maximum in an integrated approach" said Pam Ficociello, Director of Care Algoma Manor.
While registration for this particular program is closed, Sault College Continuing Education will be offering a full-time online PSW program beginning fall 2018. Sault College is also offering its full-time PSW on campus program beginning fall 2018.
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