About the Personal Support Worker Certificate Program

Personal Support Workers play an essential role in helping people live safely, comfortably, and with dignity. The Personal Support Worker (PSW) Certificate Program prepares students with the practical skills, knowledge, and hands-on experience needed to provide compassionate, client-centered care in long-term care facilities, community settings, and private homes.

Students learn how to support individuals with daily living activities such as personal hygiene, mobility, nutrition, and medication assistance while developing the communiction and professionalism needed to work effectively with families and healthcare teams.

The program includes practical training, supervised clinical placements, and important certifications such as First Aid/CPR, WHMIS, Occupational Health and Safety, AODA, and Gentle Persuasive Approaches in Dementia Care. By graduation, you’ll be prepared to step confidently into the workforce and make a meaningful difference in the lives of those you care for.

Course Overview

Personal Support Workers are at the heart of compassionate care, supporting seniors, individuals with disabilities, and others who need assistance with daily living. In this role, you’ll do more than meet physical needs. You’ll build meaningful relationships, provide emotional support, and help clients feel safe, respected, and valued.

The Personal Support Worker Certificate Program follows the National Association of Career Colleges (NACC) curriculum and supports the Ontario government’s initiative to strengthen long-term care and community support services. This ensures students receive training that reflects the needs of Ontario’s growing healthcare sector.

Throughout the program, you’ll learn how to assist clients with personal hygiene, mobility, nutrition, medication reminders, and daily household tasks while also supporting individuals with cognitive, mental health, or end-of-life care needs. Emphasis is placed on compassionate, client-centered care and understanding the unique needs of each individual you support.

Training combines classroom learning, hands-on practice, supervised clinical placements in healthcare settings, and community placement experience, allowing you to apply your skills in real care environments before entering the workforce. By graduation, you’ll have the practical experience and confidence needed to step into a Personal Support Worker role and make a meaningful difference in the lives of those you care for.

Admission Requirements

• Ontario Secondary School Diploma or Mature Student Status
• NACC Literacy Test
• NACC PSW Student Questionnaire
• A clear CIPC with vulnerable sector screening
• NACC Medical Disclaimer
• NACC Medical Record, signed and stamped by a qualified medical professional, must include Hep B

A Curriculum that Transforms

Hands-on learning is central to the Personal Support Worker Certificate Program. Students practice essential care skills in realistic lab environments and build experience through placements in long-term care and community settings. Training focuses on helping individuals maintain dignity, independence, and quality of life while receiving compassionate support.

Key areas of training include:

Throughout the program, students gain practical experience assisting with personal care, mobility, and daily living activities while learning how to support individuals with diverse health and emotional needs. Combined with supervised clinical placements and community placement experience, this training helps ensure graduates are confident, capable, and ready to provide compassionate care.

Why Study to Become a Personal Support Worker at Trillium College?

Choosing the right PSW program is an important step toward a career in healthcare. The Personal Support Worker Certificate Program is the National Association of Career Colleges (NACC) curriculum, ensuring students receive training that reflects the real-world needs of Ontario’s healthcare system.

Students learn from experienced instructors while developing practical care skills through hands-on labs and field placements.

Live, instructor-led virtual classes provide flexibility while keeping students connected with instructors and classmates throughout the program.

By graduation, you’ll have the knowledge, practical experience, and professional preparation needed to begin your career supporting individuals in long-term care, community settings, and home care environments.