It seems that everywhere you look you'll find a new personal support worker sprouting up (that is if you're looking at possible career courses). So how does one go about choosing the right course? While it isn't exactly rocket science there are a few small tips & tricks to picking the right course. Look below, for that is where the answers sit.

There are four main considerations when deciding which course to take. They are Cost, Course Length, Location and Prestige.

Sidebar: All personal support worker (psw) courses in the province on Ontario are essentially the same. They all have to follow guidelines set forth by the government

of Ontario.

I think it's safe to say that most things in life come down to money. Choosing a PSW course shouldn't be any different or should it? Usually the cost of a personal support worker is determined by what type of institution that you enroll in. What do I mean by institution? Colleges, learning centres and technical colleges (think Devry/Evrest) are all considered learning institutions. Colleges are almost always the most expensive option, with courses usually costing $4000. Technical colleges are second, coming in at around $3000 per course. The cheapest option is a learning centre (think of a night course school, GED location, etc). Courses are learning centres vary from $1000 to $2000. Courses in all three institutions are the same, as mandated by the government of Ontario.

Length of Course

Along with cost this is one of the key considerations before selecting where to take your course. Length typically varies by the amount of work load. So a ten month course will try to cramp everything in, while a two year (really 16 month) course will give you a little more time to take in the material. I've even heard of new five month courses (holy homework!). Determine what type of student you are before selecting a course length. Are you a quick learner? Do you have a lot or a little time to study? Of course we also have monetary considerations. Do you need the income from a personal support worker position? Are there any of time issues? You will need to take all of these into account when selecting a course length.

Location

This can also factor into the cost section. Sometimes it may be easier for your work schedule, transportation, etc to pay a little bit more for a closer by class. Also if this could be an issue ask the school where co-op placements may be, if they are near public transportation, etc.

Prestige

Let's face it, a college's name on a certificate will carry more prestige than a local learning centre. College completion also allows students access to libraries, databases, networking opportunities etc. The reality is that those are the most realistic benefits of a college certificate. I've yet to hear of an employer that has hired one person over another due solely to where a certificate came from.

There we have it. These are the four main considerations that prospective students should consider before selecting a personal support worker school. The next step? Finding a school that meets these criteria near you.