St Lawrence College partners with Maple View Lodge for PSW ‘living classroom’ program
St. Lawrence College (SLC), in collaboration with the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville and Maple View Lodge in Athens, Ontario, has launched a partnership to provide practical training for Personal Support Worker (PSW) students.
Maple View Lodge is constructing a new facility scheduled to open in 2025, significantly increasing its bed capacity. The SLC PSW program will operate directly from the Maple View Lodge facility, employing a living classroom approach. This setup allows students to integrate into the daily operations of the facility from the onset of their program, receiving hands-on experience as part of the care team. All program activities and classes will be conducted on-site at Maple View Lodge in Athens, accompanied by enrollment incentives.
These incentives include a paid placement, guaranteed 12-month employment upon successful program completion and meeting performance metrics, and support for purchasing course materials.
Dr. Barb Leblanc, Associate Vice-President, Academic at SLC, highlighted the opportunity this partnership offers students to begin impactful careers. She emphasized SLC’s commitment to preparing dedicated professionals who contribute effectively in high-demand fields.
The Ontario College Certificate program will equip students with skills to deliver personal care and support services to individuals and families. PSWs play a crucial role in healthcare teams by providing physical and emotional care to vulnerable populations across all age groups.
Cathy Fisher, Administrator of Maple View Lodge, expressed pride in the Living Classroom model’s integration of student learning with long-term care environments. This approach aims to enhance workplace readiness and elevate the quality of life for residents. Fisher noted the enthusiasm among seniors at Maple View Lodge to assist and engage with students, fostering meaningful relationships.
Funded by the Government of Ontario and led by the Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging (RIA), the Living Classroom initiative is facilitated through the Ontario Centres for Learning, Research and Innovation in Long-Term Care (Ontario CLRI), in collaboration with the Ontario Association of Adult and Continuing Education School Board Administrators (CESBA).
Maple View Lodge, owned and operated by the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville, currently accommodates 60 residents across two Resident Home Areas (RHAs) known as Brookside and Meadowview. The upcoming expansion project aims to enhance facilities and services, reflecting the growing demand for long-term care options in the region.