Are you looking to enter the personal support worker industry? Well, to get the best possible position, you’ll need to go to school. These are the top four things to consider before selecting a PSW course.

Course duration

How long would you like to take to finish your certificate? Do you need the money that a personal support worker job brings right away, or can you wait a while and take a smaller course load? Courses can last anywhere from five months to two years, depending on the school you select. The industry standard for training is eight months. Ask yourself if you need more time to study or if you just can’t wait to get going.

cost

The cost is linked to the duration of the course. Sometimes the courses can cost you more money. Five-month courses tend to be the most expensive, followed by two-year courses. Eight-month courses are, on average, the cheapest, but this may depend on the type of educational institution you decide to attend. Living expenses, time lost from a current job, etc. must also be considered.

Type of learning institution

What do I mean by type of learning institution? PSW courses are taught in three types of schools. The first is a traditional university (Humber is an example). The second is a private university like Evertt, Devry, or the kind you sometimes see advertised on TV. And the third option is a course offered by a local school board or learning center. The cost and duration of the course may vary depending on the type you choose. However, all course outlines are set by the Ontario government, so you will learn essentially the same material in all three styles of schools.

Prestige

While the education will likely be the same, the prestige of a school board course will not match that of a local college. Depending on your funding, time considerations, etc., this is something to keep in mind before selecting a school.