Question Period Note: FEDERAL SUPPORT FOR TRAINING PERSONAL SUPPORT WORKERS

The shortage of Personal Support Workers (PSWs) in the long-term and home care systems has been a growing issue for several years, particularly in the context of an aging population, and exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

• As announced in the 2020 Fall Economic Statement, the Government of Canada is funding a $38.5 million pilot project to address acute labour shortages in long-term and home care.

• This funding is being used to recruit and train up to 2,600 new Supportive Care Assistants through an accelerated online training and hands-on work placement.

• It is anticipated that the pilot will also support up to 1,300 of these Supportive Care Assistants to pursue full Personal Support Worker certification.

• Also, the new Sectoral Workforce Solutions Program, introduced in Budget 2021 with $960 million over three years, is connecting Canadians with the training they need to get good jobs in sectors where employers are looking for skilled workers, including the health sector.

• The Program completed two calls for proposals, and we expect to start funding successful organizations later this fall.

As announced in the 2020 Fall Economic Statement, ESDC is funding a $38.5M pilot project to help address labour shortages in long-term and home care.

The Long-Term and Home Care pilot project, which launched in December 2020, will:
• test a new recruitment and training model for Supportive Care Assistants through an accelerated 6-week online training program, followed by a paid work placement (up to 4 months);
• develop a career advancement pathway to assist new workers to upgrade their micro-credential to a full PSW certificate; and
• explore how to improve consistency in PSW training programs, required qualifications, and core competencies, with the goal of developing a proposed competency framework and National Occupational Standard.

As of September 8, 2022, there were over 1,450 reserved seats for the pilot project, with more than 1,000 students in online training. In addition, 337 students are in paid work placements, 137 have already graduated and 20 are pursuing PSW certification.

In addition, the Sectoral Workforce Solutions Program (SWSP) helps key sectors of the economy, including the health sector, implement solutions to address their current and emerging workforce needs. The SWSP launched a solicited and an open Calls for Proposals in January 2022, focused on: building talent for the clean economy; investing in the health sector; and, supporting demand-driven solutions for sectors hardest hit by the pandemic and those key to recovery. Projects are expected to start this fall and in winter 2022-23.

While the Government of Canada recognizes provincial and territorial jurisdiction in this sector, it can play an important convening role in bringing all parties together to help reduce the variability in PSW training and certification requirements across Canada. These initiatives are meant to supplement, not duplicate, provincial or territorial efforts already underway in the supportive care sector.

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