New program at Conestoga College aims to put more staff at region's LTC homes

Conestoga College plans to deliver a new program this fall that will put more staff in long term care homes (LTC) in the region, while also helping employ those who've lost their job due to the pandemic.

The five-week Resident Home Assistant program will train people in infection prevention and control, sanitation and food safety, as well as COVID-19 procedures related to LTC homes.

Gail Jordan, director of corporate training and workforce development at the college, said graduates could fill a variety of entry level positions at the homes.

"Things like laundry and infection control and housekeeping," Jordan said.

"We also tie in the food service and food safety certification into the training, so someone would have that available to them as well."

The province invested almost $340,000 for the new program through Skills Advance Ontario, which is a series of pilot projects designed to support local workforce development.

"The Resident Home Assistant program will address the urgent need for trained staff in LTC homes while providing opportunities for laid off workers to gain skills that will allow them to return to the workforce and make positive contributions to the health and well-being of our community," said Conestoga College president John Tibbits in a release.

Local employers and industry experts have been a partner in the creation of the program, Jordan adds.

The college had been working with the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development in late 2019 for the development of the new program.

Since then, Jordan said the pandemic has brought in a few new aspects to the curriculum like a stronger emphasis on infection prevention and control, as well as how to properly wear and dispose of personal protective equipment.

Employers looking to hire

The program is affiliated with several local LTC homes that have positions available for graduates once they complete the program, as they often face challenges in recruiting and keeping staff.

"We have had employers be part of the process all the way through and we have employers who have positions ready to hire now," Jordan said.

"That's the key. We want to make sure all the folks taking this training have an opportunity to be employed."

The program is set to begin the third week of September and will continue to recruit new students in the following months, said Jordan.