Near North District School Board

Personal Support Worker

Personal Support Worker Training

A personal support worker and elderly woman in a wheelchair smile at each other

TRAIN TO BE A PSW IN THE LIVING CLASSROOM

Important Note: This program is open to Canadian Citizens and Canadian Residents only.
ONLY applications from Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be accepted.
International students or individuals in Canada on a student or work permit WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

NNDSB has partnered with Cassellholme in North Bay and Belvedere Heights in Parry Sound to provide Personal Support Worker training in a living classroom. Participants will do their theoretical learning in a classroom and then apply those skills on the floor of the long-term care home.

This opportunity is available to people aged 18 and older. Participants who do not have a Grade 12 diploma can earn up to six Ontario Secondary School Diploma credits while training to become a PSW. If you are interested, you can request an educational assessment by contacting Laurentian Learning Centre, 705-472-5419 Ext. 5995.

THIS PROGRAM IS AVAILABLE* AT THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS:

  • North Bay 
    Cassellholme – Registration for WINTER 2026 will open in September 2025
  • Parry Sound
    Belvedere Heights – Registration for WINTER 2026 will open in September 2025

*ALL PROGRAMS RUN PENDING ENROLMENT
PSW Programs run twice yearly, pending enrolment, programs start in:
•  January 2026 start - intake in January to June - documents submitted by November 2025

Where Care Happens
Our PSW program isn’t just about textbooks—it’s about hands-on experience. This is exactly why our classrooms are located right inside Cassellholme and Belvedere Heights. You will learn theory in class and then apply your skills on the floor, working alongside experienced care teams and residents.
Our PSW program is delivered entirely in person to ensure you gain the hands-on experience needed to provide high-quality care. Because our classrooms are located directly within Cassellholme and Belvedere Heights, in-person attendance is mandatory for all components of the program. We do not currently offer any remote or online course options.

Earn While You Learn
Thanks to partnerships with Cassellholme and Belvedere Heights, our PSW learners may be eligible to receive a paid stipend while completing their education and hands-on training within the LTC setting.
This opportunity helps reduce financial barriers while gaining real experience in the longterm care home.

Learn more about stipend eligibility and the application process through HealthForce Ontario’s PSW Initiatives.

Program Length
Our PSW program is designed to be completed in just 6 months.

Theory Classes:
Your classroom-based learning will follow a regular daytime schedule, similar to a typical school day. You’ll receive structured instruction at either Cassellholme or Belvedere Heights.

Placement:
Your placement hours are based on the schedule of your assigned preceptor, which means you will need to be flexible and prepared to work a variety of shifts including:

• Day shifts
• Afternoon/evening shifts
• Overnight shifts

Step 1:

Submit a North Bay registration form or Parry Sound registration form.
The application form will require you to fill out a time to take part in a MANDATORY literacy assessment/intake interview. Please be sure that you record the date you have selected for this part of your application process, as tight timelines may not allow for opportunities to reschedule your testing.
Once your registration form is submitted, you will receive an email from the PSW Team acknowledging the receipt of your application.  Please only fill out the Microsoft forms document once to stand as your registration to be a potential candidate.

Step 2:

Attend your requested literacy assessment session.  Please ensure you are on time for the session you selected.

Bring the following items with you on your assessment day:
Proof of citizenship/residency
High School or Post Secondary School Transcript
Resume

Step 3:

Gather evidence from the Checklist to Start.
Fill out the mandatory medical form.

Step 4:

Once you have been notified that you have been successful on your Literacy Assessment, you will receive a letter so that you can then apply for a Vulnerable Sector Police Record Check. Begin application as soon as possible as this can take at least 6 weeks to be completed, and it is mandatory for you to have this completed before the first day of the program.

Biindigen

Mii gwi Anishinabek wewena nkenmaaminak dependajig maa kiing.
"We acknowledge in a good way, the original people of the land here"
We value the cultures, histories and relationships with the Indigenous Peoples of Turtle Island (North America)

Connect With Us

Near North District School Board
963 Airport Road, P.O. Box 3110, North Bay, ON P1B 8H1
[P] 705-472-8170   [TF] 1-800-278-4922   [F] 705-472-9927