Personal and Community Support Worker Certificate
This program will provide students with a solid theoretical and practical foundation and prepare graduates to provide essential care and support services required by individuals with physical, physiological, mental health issues, cognitive disabilities, and chronic and acute illnesses. Students will gain experience caring for people across their lifespan and learn to effectively communicate and collaborate with members of interprofessional health care teams. |
PTIRU Approved
This program has been approved by the Private Training Institutions Regulatory Unit (PTIRU) of the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills.
This program is not equivalent to, nor recognized as, a BC Health Care Assistant Program or an Ontario PSW Program. Graduates are not eligible for registration with either the BC Care Aide & Community Health Worker Registry or the Health and Supportive Care Providers’ Authority in Ontario . Registration with the BC Care Aide & Community Health Worker Registry is required before working in BC’s public health sector as a care aide, health care assistant, personal support worker, community health worker or an equivalent position.
Program Hours: Program Months: | Program Weeks: |
19-Week Personal and Community Support Worker Certificate
40 hours – Introduction to PCSW Practice
40 hours – Interpersonal Communication
90 hours – PCSW Practice Knowledge Fundamentals
110 hours – PCSW Practice Skill Fundamentals
40 hours – Cognitive and Mental Health Support
40 hours – Palliative Care Support
20 hours – Career and Employment Skills
What type of work is involved in social and community support?
Social and community support work involves working directly with individuals and groups, offering practical assistance, emotional support, and connection to community services.
Is there demand for social and community support workers?
Yes. There is ongoing demand for social and community support workers as communities continue to rely on support services for a wide range of populations.
What career opportunities are available after completing the Social and Community Support Worker Essentials program?
The Social and Community Support Worker Essentials program helps prepare students for positions, including Community Support Worker, Special Needs Support Worker, and Social Service Support Worker.
What abilities help someone succeed in social service and community support roles?
Success in social service and community support roles is supported by strong interpersonal communication, adaptability, teamwork, reliability, and a respectful approach to working with diverse individuals.
Is the Social Service and Community Support Worker program a good choice for those new to the field?
Yes. The Social Service and Community Support Worker program is designed for individuals with no previous experience who want to begin a career in social and community support.
Upon completion of this program, the successful student will have reliably demonstrated the ability to:
Work as a personal and community support worker in various care settings
Provide person-centred care, based on ethical principles, sensitive to diverse personal and family values, beliefs, cultural practices, and other needs in a safe, caring, competent, accountable, and professional manner.
Apply evidence-informed problem-solving approaches to provide care and assistance that promotes the physical, psychological, cognitive, social, and spiritual health and well-being of individuals and families.
Provide person-centred care and assistance for individuals across the lifespan experiencing cognitive, intellectual, mental health, and/or complex health challenges by applying supportive approaches and evidence-informed practices.
Engage with members of healthcare teams in a manner that results in effective working relationships and positive health outcomes.
Communicate clearly, accurately, and sensitively with individuals and families in a variety of community and facility contexts and settings.
Identify their learning needs for professional and personal development.
Admission Requirements:
Students are required to be 19 years of age prior to the start of the program or possess a high school diploma (or equivalent), and provide evidence of one of the following English proficiency requirements:
- Evidence that 3 years of full-time secondary education (Grades 8- 12), or 2 years if the Grades are 10, 11, or 12, have been successfully completed in the program’s language of instruction in a country where the language of instruction is one of the principal languages., or
- Completion of 2 years of full-time post-secondary education at an accredited institution where English is the language of instruction, or
- Provide verified results for one of the English language proficiency tests listed below. Test results must be dated no more than two years before the start date of the program:
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic – Minimum overall score of 5.5
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) IBT – Minimum overall score of 46
- Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL) – Minimum overall score of 40
- Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP) Listening 6, Speaking 6, Reading 5, and Writing 5.
- Duolingo English Test (DET) – Minimum overall score of 95
- Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic – Minimum overall score of 43
- Cambridge English Qualifications: B2 First exam (FCE) – Minimum overall score of 160 or “C”
- Cambridge Linguaskill – Minimum overall B2 level
- LANGUAGECERT Academic – Minimum overall B2 level
- The Michigan English Test (MET) – Minimum overall B2 level
- iTEP Academic – Minimum overall score of 3.5
- EIKEN – Minimum placement of Grade Pre-1
Upon successful completion of this program, students may pursue employment in:
Entry-level, non-regulated support roles such as:
- Home Support Worker
- Community Support Worker
- Residential Support Worker
- Companion Care Provider
- Disability Support Worker
- Respite Worker
- Private Home Care Provider
Employment opportunities may vary based on employer requirements and provincial regulations.
