Personal Support Worker (PSW) Program

Free Program

Our Personal Support Worker Program is an accredited program taught by teachers with nursing backgrounds. Student placements are supervised by RPNs or RNs. Learn more by clicking here. 

Acceptance subject to completion of a literacy requirement and personal interview.

Read more about how to become a personal support worker by clicking here.

Our Mission and Vision

Mission

To be an inclusive learning community that inspires every student to reach their full potential through education and training.

Vision

By fostering positive relationships between school and community, students in the PSW program will learn and work in an environment where every person is: 

• Safe and welcomed
• Accepted and valued
• Heard and engaged
• Supported and prepared 

Registration

To begin the registration process, you must sign up for an orientation session (below).  The orientation begins with a literacy test.  

Orientation is mandatory less than one year prior to course start date. You MUST complete the orientation process by successfully passing the literacy assessment and interview.  Successful candidates will be provided with the link for registration and will be required to upload Photo ID (Health Card or Driver Licence), Birth Certificate and/or Permanent Resident or Citizenship Card with the registration.  Candidates who are not successful may re-take the orientation and literacy assessment after one year.

Individuals whose first language is not English must have completed an English language assessment or a LINC or ESL course at the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLNB) 6 or higher in listening, speaking, reading and writing.

Note: All individuals who have a Study, Work Permit or Visitor Visa must review the DCDSB International Education program page prior to registering for the orientation.

2026-2027 School Year Schedule

Oshawa Classes

Beaverton Classes

Ajax Classes

Port Perry Classes

Whitby - Part-Time Program

Tuition

• No tuition
• Materials Fee: Free
• Covers workshops, First Aid/CPR-C, name badge and certificates in food handling, feeding, Alzheimer's and GPA 

Admission Requirements

• 18 years of age or older;
• written medical clearance from your doctor;
• Two Step TB Test;
• Flu Vaccination;
• clear Criminal Record/Vulnerable Sector Check*;
• a minimum score of 80 per cent on the Literacy Test;
• successful personal interview;
• proof of Canadian citizenship/permanent residency.

Students must have the clear Criminal Record, Vulnerable Sector check  and medical complete prior to the start of the program and must be 6 months recent.

Pre-PSW Program

The Pre-PSW program provides opportunities for students to strengthen their literacy skills and prepare for success in the Personal Support Worker Program. This program is available for Beaverton, Ajax, Oshawa, Whitby and Port Perry students who have been accepted to the PSW program. 

Adult Upgrading

Students register for the PSW literacy preparation through the Adult Upgrading Program. Adult upgrading is continuous intake. Visit the Adult Upgrading webpage for details about how to register.

Pre-PSW Program

Date: Continuous Intake

Format: Program will be run online with in-person support available.

Registration: Students will receive an invitation to the Pre-PSW program after their acceptance.

Student Testimonial

My name is Erin and I’m currently working as a Personal Support Worker as I graduated from the PSW program at Archbishop Anthony Meagher CCEC. Here’s my experience:

I first started out in the Personal Support Worker program at College. I did not like the environment that I was in, so I had resigned. A year later I decided to take the Personal Support Worker program at the Durham Catholic  District School Board and man, did I ever make a good choice. Despite such a difficult and at times stressful year due to covid, my teacher was with us the whole time, supporting us and ensuring that we were doing our best at all times, which definitely helped the year go by a lot smoother. To anyone who plans to become a Personal Support Worker in the future and likes an environment with lots of supportive teachers, Principals, and a supportive school overall, I HIGHLY recommend you take the program at Archbishop Anthony Meagher. Trust me, you won’t regret it! 

Currently, I am very happily working as a Part Time Personal Support Worker in a Long Term Care Home and without the help of my amazing teacher and the amazing staff at the Durham Catholic School Board all year long, this wouldn’t be possible! 

For more information, contact the Oshawa Campus at credit.reg@dcdsb.ca or the Ajax Campus at cont.ed@dcdsb.ca