Province funds 2 programs to help long-term care staffing needs

The province is investing more than $21 million to address the staffing needs in long-term care.

The funding will support two programs to be offered through Humber College.

The money will flow through the province’s Learn and Earn incentive program, which requires eligible students to work in rural, remote and northern communities.

One program will help upgrade the skills of existing staff, such as resident support personnel and dietary aides, to become personal support workers.

The program will be offered online and includes paid clinical placement within their home community.

The other program is a pilot that aims to train personal support workers in becoming registered practical nurses.

The two programs will help train about 700 people.

Long-Term Care Minister Natalia Kusendova-Bashta says students who enroll will be eligible for the incentives provided.

For PSWs, we have a $10,000 incentive if they commit to working in long-term care for 1 year,” Kusendova-Bashta.

“For nurses, we have a $25,000 incentive if they commit to working in long-term care for 2 years.”

There are additional incentives if students commit to working in remote or northern communities.

The province will provide a $10,000 relocation grant and an extra $10,000 for working in the north.

Recent studies suggest Ontario’s long-term care sector needs over 58,600 additional nurses and personal support workers by 2029 to meet demand.