Expert-led learning
Courses and resources developed around the realities of frontline care.
OPSWA / CANSWA Professional Development Centre
Professional learning that strengthens support workers across Ontario and Canada
Practical, flexible and career-focused education created for personal support workers, continuing care assistants and frontline care professionals.
OPSWA and CANSWA aligned
Online Courses From Clinical Experts
Members-only pathway where required
Workbooks, Quizzes, Assessments & More
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Professional learning for frontline care
Learn. Grow. Lead.
Flexible access
Learn online from your phone, tablet or computer at your own pace.
Professional growth
Strengthen practical skills, confidence and workplace readiness.
About the centre
The Best Learning Platform for Support Workers in Ontario and Canada
OPSWA and CANSWA share a commitment to accessible professional learning, practical standards and stronger frontline care.
Vision
To be a leading Canadian hub for support-worker professional growth, where learning, innovation and excellence come together.
Mission
To deliver accessible, evidence-informed education that strengthens skills, raises professional standards and supports safer care.
Team
Educators and contributors are selected for their experience, subject-matter knowledge and understanding of support-worker practice.
Our courses
Learning built for real care environments
Explore OPSWA and CANSWA professional-development courses and resources. Availability, pricing, dates and access rules come directly from the Education Dashboard.
Autism Community Service Provider
This course helps PSWs understand autism, and behaviour through a compassionate, person‑centred lens, equipping them to support clients with clarity, confidence, and respect. OPSWA MEMBERS ONLY
$129.99 CAD
Communicating in Conflict
Communicating in Conflict gives PSWs the skills to recognize early signs of conflict, communicate effectively under pressure, and respond with empathy, clarity and confidence in difficult situations.
$59.99 CAD
Introduction to Autism
An essential overview of autism that equips PSWs with strategies to reduce stigma, understand behavior, and provide safe, compassionate care.
$69.99 CAD
Nutrition & Hydration
Foundational knowledge of nutrition, hydration, and safe food practices to support client health and well‑being.
$19.99 CAD
Palliative Care: A Support Worker Perspective
This course equips PSWs with the knowledge and skills to observe, report, and respond to end‑of‑life changes while delivering safe, respectful, and comfort‑focused palliative care.
$69.99 CAD
Stroke Resources
Free Online Resource These resources are intended/created for Personal Support Workers (PSW) working in long-term care in Ontario. However, anyone interested in stroke care can benefit from using this resource, including PSWs in the community, family members, etc.
Free
Mental Health for Support Workers
PSWs learn the essentials of mental health, stigma reduction, and early recognition so they can support clients safely and communicate observations clearly within their care team.
$69.99 CAD
PSW Refresher
Learn practical skills and employer-focused training tailored to 2026 standards, including body mechanics and safety techniques to prevent injuries when lifting or bending, and professional development opportunities that can help advance your career.
$149.99 CAD
De-Escalation for PSWs
This training provides Personal Support Workers with practical, trauma-informed strategies to understand, prevent, and de-escalate challenging behaviours in community, long-term care, and group home settings. Participants explore protective and risk factors, the ABCs of behaviour, the four phases of behaviour management, and techniques for maintaining calm during crises. Through case studies and guided reflection, PSWs learn how to respond safely, compassionately, and professionally while supporting client dignity and well-being.
$69.99 CAD
Professionalism in Practice
PSWs build confidence in professional communication, conduct, and workplace expectations while learning practical strategies for teamwork, boundaries, and client‑centred care.
$69.99 CAD
Affiliate education resources
Trusted learning from partner organizations
Expand the course library with selected resources from reputable education, health and community organizations.
CICS Workplace English
Free Online Resource Develop communication skills to: Build effective communication skills for client and team interactions Improve both your oral and written English for workplace clarity and confidence Develop assertiveness within diverse work settings Get ready for career growth
Family Violence Education
Free Online Resource This website is an online resource for healthcare and social service providers, including students and those in practice. The overall aim is to assist providers in recognizing and responding safely to family violence. Family violence is complex, as are effective provider responses. While VEGA educational resources can be reviewed individually, we strongly recommend that they are used in the context of a learning environment (e.g., continuing professional development) or in the context of ongoing supervision/consultation with someone who has expertise in the area of family violence. Engaging with this material with a teacher, supervisor or facilitator can assist in the
Keen Training
BLS, First-Aid, Heart saver, and Instructor Trainer Courses At Keen Training, we are a group of certified instructors teaching both Heart & Stroke and Canadian Red Cross courses. From BLS, First-Aid, Heart saver, and Instructor Trainer courses, we are your one stop shop for all your certifications needed to work in the healthcare industry. Manuals provided for all courses. BLS renewals from $50/student (including tax) BLS provider classes from $50/student (including tax) First-Aid classes $120/student (including tax) Contact us today at info.keentraining@gmail.com if you have any questions.
McMaster University
Expand Your Knowledge of Dementia Designed for unregulated care providers such as personal support workers, healthcare aids, care companions, and others working in home, community, or long-term care settings. This 4-hour self-paced online program has been shown to significantly increase dementia knowledge and is comprised of four courses: Foundations of Dementia Responsive Behaviours and Mental Health Home Supports and Safety Promoting Brain Health and Caregiver Wellness. Demonstrate your new knowledge by sharing your Certificate of Completion with employers. Developed by experts in geriatrics, mental health and online learning.
Ontario CLRI
Long-Term Care Food Services Orientation Do you have dietary team members who are new to long-term care? Are you looking for interactive courses to include in annual training to help support your dietary team, whether they’re new or experienced? Equip team members for the safe support of residents during snack and mealtimes through our eLearning series, Long-Term Care Food Services Orientation. Co-designed with the Ontario Seniors Nutrition & Advocacy Committee (OSNAC) and the Ontario CLRI at the Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging, this series supports dietary team members with an introduction to food services teams, resident dining experience, and key dietary terms. It also explore
Public Health Ontario
Free Online Resource Looking to build or expand your knowledge in IPAC best practices? Check out our courses on IPAC core competencies and reprocessing, as well as specialized knowledge for different environments, including hospitals, community health care settings and long-term care homes. Public Health Ontario has developed four new modules for the IPAC Core Competencies online course: Personal Risk Assessment in Acute Care Personal Risk Assessment in Long-term Care Personal Risk Assessment in Community-Clinic Personal Risk Assessment in Community-Home
Assisting with Mobility - Safer Client Handling
Length: 3.5 Hours | Format: In-person at the Regional Learning Centre in Oakville, ON | Pricing: $125.00 per person Care providers working in a community setting face a number of unique challenges when it comes to assisting clients with their mobility. This session will provide participants with targeted and relevant information and hands on practice. Topics will include: Principles of safer body mechanics, discussion on why body mechanics is not always enough to keep you safe The difference between lifts and transfers Recognition of high-risk client care activities Responding to unsafe client handling situations and requests from others Opportunity to practice using a Hoyer lift, sit-stand
Professionalism in the Workplace
Length: 3 Hours | Format: Virtual instructor led via Zoom | Pricing: $79.00 per person | A 3-hour virtual course led by an experienced instructor. This course explores the concept of professionalism as it relates to the PSW’s practice. Topics will include: Legal and moral rights of the client and the principles that guide PSW practice The Regulated Health Professions Act (RHPA) and the unregulated care provider’s (UCP) Scope of Practice The difference between HSPCOA and your PSW association The therapeutic relationship and person-centered care including communication, professional boundaries, privacy & confidentiality and ethics Interactive case studies that explore the above topics.
Medication Management
Length: 3.5 Hours | Format: Virtual instructor led via Zoom | Pricing: $89.00 per person | This 3.5-hour course explores the community support worker’s responsibilities when assisting with or administering medication to clients in the community. Topics will include: An overview of medications including drug classifications, actions and, observations How medications work and factors that affect medication action and efficacy The unregulated care provider’s scope of practice as it relates to the Regulated Health Professionals Act (RHPA) and their employer’s policies and procedures Best practice techniques when assisting with or administering medication through various routes
Empathic Strain
Length: 3.5 Hours | Format: Virtual instructor led via Zoom | Pricing: $89.00 per person | Empathic Strain has been described as “the cost of caring” for others, which results in deep emotional and physical exhaustion. The work of helping requires health care professionals to open their hearts and minds to their clients, but it is this process which makes helpers vulnerable to being very affected by their work. Join us for this important topic. Topics of discussion will include: Vicarious trauma Warning signs that you may not be coping well Strategies for your workplace Self-awareness and mindfulness Coping strategies Strategies to balance life and work
Person-Centered Care
Length: 3 Hours | Format: Virtual instructor led via Zoom | Pricing: $79.00 per person | This course explores the principles of person-centered care. Topics will include: The benefits of practicing person-centered care The community support worker’s role in a person-centred environment How to develop care practices that support person-centred work Communication strategies and practical tools to support person-centered care
Event calendar
Upcoming PDC events
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Employer resources
Resources for employers and care organizations
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Frequently asked questions
Getting started with the PDC
Do I need to sign in to explore the courses?
No. Most courses and partner resources can be explored without signing in. Individual courses can have their own access requirements.
Where do members sign in?
Members are directed to the OPSWA sign-in page when a course requires member access.
Does the platform support certificates?
Yes. Courses can use assessment certificates, scheduled-course certificate workflows, or completion-gated learner-portal certificates.
Is the platform for Ontario only?
No. The OPSWA and CANSWA Professional Development Centre supports learners in Ontario and across Canada.