A personal Support Worker assisting an elderly client in a care facility

The Growing Need for Personal Support Workers in Canada

If you’ve ever thought about a career where your work has a direct and meaningful impact on someone’s daily life, becoming a Personal Support Worker might be the right path for you. Across Canada, the demand for Personal Support Worker Certificate graduates is increasing, and with it, the opportunities to take on a role that combines care, compassion, and purpose.

This blog post explores why the demand for PSWs is rising, what the role involves, and how earning your Personal Support Worker Certificate at AAPS can prepare you for success.

Why Canada Needs More Personal Support Workers

Canada’s healthcare system is changing, and PSWs are at the heart of that change. With nearly one in four Canadians projected to be over the age of 65 by 2030, the demand for frontline caregivers is expected to increase.

Personal Support Workers step in where they are needed most, helping individuals live with independence and comfort, whether in long-term care facilities, hospitals, or community settings. As the demand grows, so does the opportunity for PSWs to build meaningful, stable careers.

A personal Support Worker providing companionship and daily care

Our PSW program in Ontario can be your launching pad into a meaningful, stable career.

How to Become a Certified Personal Support Worker

To become a certified Personal Support Worker (PSW) in Ontario, you must complete a recognized training program. This includes both in-class theory and a mandatory clinical placement. 

Upon completion, you will earn your Personal Support Worker Certificate, which is essential for working in this field. Choosing a certified program ensures you get the credentials employers are looking for.

What Does a Personal Support Worker Do?

A PSW’s role is as varied as it is vital. Depending on the setting, responsibilities may include:

  • Helping with personal hygiene and mobility

  • Preparing meals and assisting with feeding

  • Monitoring health and reporting changes

  • Offering companionship and emotional support

  • Supporting families with care planning and communication

If you’ve ever wondered, “What does a PSW’s day look like?” the answer is that it’s filled with small but powerful moments of connection. From helping a senior feel comfortable to offering reassurance to a family, the impact of this work cannot be overstated.

A personal Support Worker preparing a nutritious meal for an elderly client

As our personal support worker courses highlight, a PSW’s role is as varied as it is vital.

The AAPS Personal Support Worker Certificate

At the AAPS College, the Personal Support Worker Certificate program is designed to prepare students for this rewarding and in-demand career.

Program Overview

  • Length: 700 hours total

  • Theory & Lab Practice: 400 hours

  • Clinical Placement: 300 hours (200 in a facility, 100 in community care)

  • Format: Online theory combined with in-person training at our Toronto campus

What You’ll Learn

The program covers a wide range of topics, including:

  • Foundations of personal support work

  • Safety, mobility, and body systems

  • Personal hygiene and daily care

  • Nutrition, hydration, and household management

  • Mental health support and dementia care

  • Assisting the dying person with dignity and compassion

Certifications and Recognition

Graduates receive the NACC Personal Support Worker Certificate, a credential recognized across the healthcare industry. The program is approved under the Ontario Career Colleges Act, 2005, ensuring you meet the standards employers value most.

A PSW student completing hands-on training in a classroom

Our PSW program in Ontario provides technical skills and the confidence to step into the role.

Why Choose AAPS?

  • Extensive clinical placement opportunities

  • Modern, well-equipped training facilities

  • A flexible hybrid format that balances online learning with hands-on practice

  • A curriculum designed to prepare you for work in long-term care, hospitals, community health, and private residences

Our PSW program in Ontario gives you not only the technical skills but also the confidence to step into healthcare with compassion and professionalism.

A Career That Makes a Difference

Becoming a PSW is more than training for a job; it’s preparing for a career where you can bring comfort, dignity, and care to those who need it most. With a Personal Support Worker Certificate, you’ll enter a field where the demand is high, the opportunities are growing, and the work is deeply meaningful. 

If you’re ready to begin your journey, explore AAPS’s courses and take the first step toward a career that makes a lasting impact.

Are you looking for comprehensive personal support worker courses?

Contact AAPS for more information.

Archives

Interested in AAPS? Contact us directly or provide your information for a call back.

Toronto Campus

885 Sheppard Avenue West Toronto, Ontario M3H 2T4, Canada

Hours of Operation

Mon-Fri 8:30am - 5:00pm Sat - by appointment only
Telephone: 416-502-2277 Toll Free: 1-855-502-2288 Email: info@aaps.ca
I consent to be contacted by Academy of Applied Pharmaceutical Sciences and I understand that I can opt-out later