Conestoga has launched a new community-based supportive care fast-track training and education opportunity in partnership with ONE CARE Home & Community Support Services. Students who successfully complete the training will have the necessary skills and knowledge to provide personal care to clients in home and community settings throughout Stratford and Huron Perth.
Students in the new training program started classes October 11; they will fill the growing demand for community-based supportive care workers in Stratford and Huron Perth.
“We turned to Conestoga to deliver this training because we were seeking high quality professional programming to address the needs of the community,” said Anne Rollings, ONE CARE’s manager of Community Programs. “Students will receive the skills needed to help our growing community of seniors maintain a positive quality of life as they age at home.”
The training started October 11 at Conestoga’s Stratford campus and will finish December 23. Students will be provided with eight weeks of in-class instruction covering the theory, concepts and principles related to supportive care, personal care and workplace health and safety. Students will also have access to a fully furnished simulation environment at Stratford General Hospital to practice their skills in a realistic setting.
The in-class component will be complemented with a two-week practicum delivered by ONE CARE where students will be paired with a mentor and receive additional hands-on training.
“We are pleased to work with ONE CARE and our Corporate Training Division to broaden the range of programming available at Conestoga’s Stratford campus,” said Don Wildfong, chair of Continuing Education & Specialty Programs at the college. “This partnership will deliver work-ready employees who possess the skills and training needed to respond quickly and directly to the needs of Huron Perth. We are also prepared to expand this applied learning opportunity to address the health-care requirements of other communities.”
Participants in the training program receive free tuition and textbooks thanks to support provided through ONE CARE and the Canada Ontario Job Grant. Those who successfully complete the training will be employed by ONE CARE to help fill the growing demand for community-based supportive care workers. They will be prepared to provide a range of support services, including assistance with personal care, meal preparation and housekeeping.
Participants may be eligible for advanced standing or bridging opportunities in Conestoga’s health care and community services programs should they choose to continue their education.
Conestoga’s Corporate Training division works with organizations to bring college-level training and development to their workforce.
The School of Health & Life Sciences and Community Services delivers a comprehensive array of career-focused programs that combine theoretical and hands-on learning to support our community’s growing need for individuals with the skills, knowledge and determination to make a difference. For more information, visit www.conestogac.on.ca/health