The staffing shortage of home support workers in Ontario is at a critical point. Many older Ontarians and people with disabilities are not receiving an appropriate level of home care to meet their daily needs. A new partnership between March of Dimes Canada and IBT College will aim to bring additional capacity into the workforce to build a better care system for those who need help at home. Growing the workforce and increasing training opportunities with the help of new and modern technology are key actions that back the provincial government’s investment in home and community care.
“March of Dimes Canada plays an important role in the healthcare system. We support seniors and people with disabilities so they can live and thrive in both their homes and communities,” says Karen Whitehead-Lye, Associate Director Community Support Services, March of Dimes Canada. “With the goal of expanding our workforce, we’re excited to announce this dynamic partnership with IBT College. Together, we’ll provide people who enrol in this essential Home Support Worker program with vital in-class education and on-site work experience. Our shared goal is to create opportunities for passionate people to enter the healthcare system and build great careers supporting others in their community.”
“IBT College has trained more than 1,500 Home Support Workers since early 2021 to meet the growing need across the province. This training — along with specialized Micro-credentials and Virtual Reality technologies — provide solutions to our current healthcare staffing challenges. We want applicants to think of healthcare as more than just a job. It can certainly be a long and rewarding career,” says James Rice, Vice President at IBT College.
“Strong home care is a crucial underpinning for a well-functioning healthcare system. This training and practicum is a good start to compete for workers in a highly competitive hiring environment,” added Don Fenn, President of Caregiver Omnimedia, whose company has been supporting home care providers for more than 20 years.
The MODC / IBT College training partnership will commence in early 2023 with a pilot six-week course that includes four weeks of online instruction and two weeks of hands-on learning.
March of Dimes Canada
March of Dimes Canada is a leading national charity committed to championing equity, empowering ability, and creating real change so the more than six million living with disabilities across Canada can unlock the richness of their lives. We do that by providing programs and services that empower our clients to thrive at home and in their communities. Our work is grounded in the voices of the people we serve, built on a foundation of service, and backed by a more than 70-year history of success. Learn more at www.marchofdimes.ca.
IBT College
IBT College is one of the top private career colleges in Ontario and offers high-quality training to domestic and international students. We provide diploma programs in business, healthcare, travel and tourism, IT, and flight attendant training. We have been providing top-quality educational training since 2001. IBT College has been at the forefront of rapidly training Home Support Workers and Personal Support Workers in Ontario. IBT College has made large investments in online training tools that utilize augmented reality modeling and virtual reality simulations.
Caregiver Omnimedia
Caregiver Omnimedia is a marketing, research, and innovative communication company serving family caregivers as they navigate the gaps of the healthcare system including home care, modifying the home for health, and aging in place. Both MODC and IBT College are valued clients.
For more information:
March of Dimes Canada
Karen Whitehead-Lye, Associate Director, March of Dimes Canada
Tel: 416-561-9572
Email: kwhitehead-lye@marchofdimes.ca
IBT College
James Rice, Vice-President, IBTCollege
Tel: 416-963-1211
Email: james@ibtcollege.com
Caregiver Omnimedia
Don Fenn, President & CEO, Caregiver Omnimedia
Tel: 905 833 6200 X27
Email: dfenn@thefamilycaregiver.com
