Superintendent’s Policy Directive #13
Approval of Personal Support Worker Programs
Private Career Colleges Act, 2005

Frequently Asked Questions

Directive

Pursuant to subsection 23(1) of the Private Career Colleges Act, 2005 (the “Act”), private career colleges (PCCs) that offer vocational program(s) in the skills and knowledge required to obtain employment as a Personal Support Worker (“PSW programs”) must have these program(s) approved by the Superintendent of Private Career Colleges (Superintendent).

Programs offered by PCCs that are intended to prepare graduates to work as Personal Support Workers are required to adhere to the new Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities Personal Support Worker Training Standard, 2014, available with this policy directive on the Ministry of Training, Colleges and University (the “Ministry”) website: http://www.tcu.gov.on.ca/pepg/audiences/pcc/superintendent.html.

New compliance timelines were issued by the Superintendent on September 1, 2015.  The compliance timelines were communicated to the sector in a memo and by updates to Policy Directive #13: Personal Support Worker (PSW) Training Standard.  The following Frequently Asked Questions relate to the new compliance timelines.   

Frequently Asked Questions

How will the transition from former NACC Personal Support Worker (PSW) programs to the revised NACC PSW programs work?

  • The Private Career Colleges Branch will approve submitted programs and a communication will be emailed to the PCC notifying that the program has been approved.
  • Once the PCC receives confirmation the revised NACC PSW program has been approved the PCC is no longer permitted to start a new cohort in the former NACC PSW program.
  • A short-term extension (up to 30 days) allowing the PCC to continue offering the former NACC program may be granted. In order be granted this extension you must immediately (within two business days of receipt of your approval) make a request to the Superintendent through your inspector outlining why an extension is required.
  • The possible extension above will only be considered for programs that are submitted prior to the March 31, 2016 submission deadline.
  • The following items will be considered when reviewing a request for an extension: student impact, education quality and PCC impact.
  • Students enrolled in the former NACC PSW programs that are in progress prior to notification of program approval will be allowed to finish (In progress means: Day one of the program has already been completed.)
  • Once all students have successfully or unsuccessfully completed the former NACC PSW program the PCC is responsible for notifying their Inspector so the former NACC PSW program can be removed from RICC.
  • NACC will be advised when the former NACC PSW program is discontinued and you will not be able to enrol students for the former NACC PSW exam.

Can I merge the former NACC PSW and the revised NACC PSW classes together?

No. The former NACC PSW and the revised NACC PSW are different programs and must be taught separately.

What about our PSW Bridging Program?

If you currently have an approved PSW Bridging Program, effective March 31, 2016 you will not be able to offer this program. Similar to the former NACC PSW program, you will be allowed to complete cohorts currently in class; however, no new classes are permitted after March 31, 2016.

NACC is currently working on a revised PSW Bridging Program. Please contact NACC for specifics regarding this program, or any other NACC programs. Once created it can be submitted to your inspector for approval.  Regular program approval fees will apply.

My current PSW program is approved for OSAP, what do I need to do?

This is to be treated like any new program. Once you have received approval please notify your Standards Officer – Scott Siciliano  (Scott.Siciliano@ontario.ca)

If you have questions or require further clarification, please contact your inspector.

This document is a legal document and is binding on all private career colleges. Every private career college shall comply with and be operated in accordance with this policy directive.

If you have questions about the Private Career Colleges Act, 2005 contact the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities at:

Private Career Colleges Branch
Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities
77 Wellesley Street, Box 977
Toronto, ON M7A 1N3
Telephone: 416-314-0500 or 1-866-330-3395
Fax: 416-314-0499
Website: Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities
The full text of the act and regulations can also be downloaded from
the Ontario government E-Laws website.