The Ontario Government is providing financial support to the First Nations Technical Institute on the Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory to increase enrolment in its personal support worker (PSW) program. Funding will support the Institute to provide culturally responsive education and training pathways for learners to prepare for careers as PSWs.
“This investment in PSW programs at First Nations Technical Institute will ensure our government is providing more culturally responsive education and training pathways for local learners,” said Hastings-Lennox and Addington MPP Daryl Kramp. “This support will allow the Institute to offer more education and training programs that directly respond to community demands and needs of the local labour market.”
This investment will help First Nations Technical Institute expand existing programs or create new ones to support the training of approximately 26 PSWs over four years. This will include delivering programming geared to long-term care with full wrap-around supports from an instructor, cultural advisor or Elder, and student success facilitator.
“By expanding enrolment in PSW programs at Indigenous Institutes, our government is ensuring learners continue to have access to culturally relevant, high-calibre education, training and supports,” said Jill Dunlop, minister of colleges and universities. “Providing additional pathways to health care education close to home will also result in more PSWs who are training, working and staying in their communities.”
The funding is part of an investment of $34 million over four years to increase enrolment in nursing and PSW programs at six Indigenous Institutes. Funding will directly support:
- Development of new programs or expansion of existing programs to support enrolment increase for nursing and PSW students.
- Student subsidies for those enrolled in nursing or PSW programs at their Indigenous Institute, which may include tuition, textbooks, childcare and costs related to clinical education. This includes a one-time subsidy for students who previously enrolled but are still in the program as of January 1, 2022.
- Enhancement of Indigenous knowledge and language in student learning.
“Our government has a plan to fix long-term care and a key part of that plan is improving staffing and care,” said Paul Calandra, minister of long-term care. “This investment will support training for hundreds of PSW and nursing students at six Indigenous Institutes so they can deliver the high-quality care residents need and deserve.”
“As a former nurse with experience working in northern communities, I know that Indigenous people have faced barriers to accessing effective and culturally safe health, mental health and addictions care,” said Greg Rickford, minister of Indigenous affairs. “Events like the pandemic and confirmation of graves at Indian Residential School sites have greatly increased the demand for these services. By increasing enrolment in nursing and PSW programs at Indigenous Institutes, we will help ensure culturally appropriate supports continue to be available in the future.”