The Prescott-Russell Residence is offering online personal support worker training through the Employment Services Centre of Prescott-Russell.
During the June 14 committee of the whole meeting, Eric Larocque, administrator of the Prescott-Russell Residence, presented a report to the United Counties of Prescott-Russell (UCPR) council. He told council that the UCPR’s application to the Skills Development Fund was denied, so he must find another solution to fill positions at the PR Residence.
Larocque developed a training program that will operate for the next three years, which will train personal support workers (PSWs) in-person and online for employment at the facility. Applicants will be hired on as employees at the PR Residence before they begin, guaranteeing them a job after they finish the course. They’ll also have the opportunity to pursue further training as Registered Nurses or Registered Practical Nurses. Larocque also plans to offer the course to students for free.
The Prescott Russell Residence on Cartier Boulevard in Hawkesbury is owned and operated by the UCPR. A new 224-bed facility is under construction on Spence Avenue and Larocque needs to fill out the employee roster for the future opening of the new facility.
The online training course is set to begin this month, while the in-person training will begin in September. Surplus wages from the PR Residence’s staff shortage will be used to cover the $280,000 cost of providing the course along with additional funding from the Ontario Ministry of Long-Term Care.
Recruitment for the training program is through the Employment Services Centre of Prescott-Russell.
