St. Lawrence College (SLC) has partnered with the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville and Maple View Lodge in Athens, Ontario to provide real-world experience and training for Personal Support Worker (PSW) students. 

Maple View Lodge is building a new facility (opening in 2025), that will greatly expand the number of beds. The St. Lawrence College PSW program will be delivered onsite at the Maple View Lodge facility, using a living classroom model. This will allow students enrolled in the program to have an immersive learning environment, becoming part of the facility from the beginning of their program, learning daily as part of the care team. All program content and classes will be delivered at the Maple View Lodge in Athens, and there are incentives to attract students to enroll. 

Some of the incentives include a paid placement, 12-month guaranteed employment upon successful program completion and performance metrics, and support to purchase course materials. 

“This partnership presents a terrific opportunity to students wishing to train for and begin working in a career that truly makes a difference,” said Dr. Barb Leblanc, Associate Vice-President, Academic at SLC. “SLC is proud to be the educational partner in this initiative, and we know from years of experience that our students are dedicated, hard-working, and our programs prepare them to succeed. To have such a partnership helping create more connections for students with hands-on learning, leading to more graduates with careers in areas where they are in demand is a win-win.”

This Ontario College Certificate program will prepare students to provide personal care and support services to individuals and families. Responsibilities of PSW’s can include assisting with home management, facilitating social and recreational activities, and promoting health and well-being with clients from all ages of the lifespan. A PSW is a key member of the healthcare team, providing both physical and emotional care to those who are most vulnerable.

“The United Counties of Leeds & Grenville and Maple View Lodge are proud to partner with SLC in the Living Classroom model of learning," said Cathy Fisher, Administrator of Maple View Lodge. "The Living Classroom integrates student learning with those living and working in long-term care. It’s all about enhancing preparedness for the workplace, facilitating development of the current workplace and ultimately enhancing the quality of life for our residents. We have the seniors eager to help the students in any way they can. We look forward to this partnership fostering and sustaining relationships between students and the senior participants. Imagine the impact for a student who has the opportunity to learn in a progressive learning environment that is located where seniors live and caregivers work; for the residents living here they have the opportunity to share their experiences and can participate in the teaching for our future care providers."