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Developing strong personal support worker skills takes more than classroom learning; it requires real-world experience with real people. At Algonquin Careers Academy (ACA), budding personal support workers gain both through the innovative PSW Living Classroom at The Glebe Centre, where training happens directly inside a long-term care environment.

This unique, government-supported initiative blends theory with practice, giving students the chance to learn from experienced professionals, connect with residents, and build confidence from day one. For those pursuing personal support worker training in Ottawa, it’s an opportunity to master compassion, communication, and care where it matters most.

What Is a PSW Living Classroom?

A PSW Living Classroom is an educational model where classroom and clinical learning take place onsite in a long-term care facility. ACA’s classroom at The Glebe Centre gives students daily exposure to the same environment in which they’ll eventually work, something traditional classrooms can’t fully replicate.

As Susan Zorz, Director of Resident Operations and Compliance at The Glebe Centre, shared,

“We started the concept of the PSW Living Classroom just before the pandemic... then we had the opportunity with the RIA and the CLRI to apply for a grant, and we were successful. Algonquin Careers Academy saw that, and we both thought it would be a great partnership, which certainly has proven to be.”

Now, with multiple cohorts completed, this partnership has become a model for Ontario PSW training in long-term care, offering a seamless blend of education and experience.

How Does a PSW Living Classroom Benefit Students?

The Living Classroom helps students move from theory to practice almost instantly. Instead of waiting for clinical placements, they can see, hear, and understand what long-term care looks like every day.

As Susan explained,

“One of the advantages is that they become immersed in the work environment that they may be working in… Having the students here gives them that, ‘Oh, this is what long-term care is.’”

This immersion builds confidence and adaptability. Students interact with residents, attend events, and gain practical insights into teamwork and communication within multidisciplinary care settings. They learn directly from experienced professionals, including behavioral support, physiotherapy, and occupational therapy staff, while also participating in meaningful activities like Remembrance Day ceremonies and resident council meetings.

One student shared that seeing residents’ daily routines firsthand made her feel “prepared and calm” before her practicum, proving that real exposure leads to real readiness.

What makes ACA’s PSW Living Classroom stand out is its strong foundation of collaboration

A Partnership That Builds Community As Well As Personal Support Worker Skills

What are the advantages of ACA’s partnership with The Glebe? The Glebe Centre and ACA have created a nurturing space that feels like a workplace from the start. “The students walking into The Glebe and seeing their space, it’s a different feeling for the students,” said one program coordinator. “They feel like they’re learning personal support worker skills, definitely, but they feel like they’re going to work from day one.”

The classroom itself is bright, modern, and located right at The Glebe’s main entrance. Students are welcomed as part of the community, invited to events, and celebrated through small gestures like welcome lunches and appreciation days.

These moments reinforce that compassion, professionalism, and connection are just as essential as technical skill, which are values that form the foundation of the personal support worker diploma at ACA.
 

The PSW Living Classroom at The Glebe provides a supportive community

The Future of the PSW Living Classroom

The program is currently funded until March 2026, but ACA and The Glebe are optimistic about continuing it. The PSW Living Classroom at The Glebe is more than an educational setting. It’s a community where future caregivers develop the personal support worker skills they’ll need to make a difference. 

Graduates of ACA’s PSW program in Ottawa leave with experience that employers immediately recognize. By completing hands-on training in a real care setting, they’re able to demonstrate the kind of PSW skills for resumes that stand out: adaptability, empathy, teamwork, and professionalism. These skills show employers that ACA graduates are not only knowledgeable but ready to contribute meaningfully to residents’ lives from their very first day on the job.

Are you looking for a comprehensive PSW course?

Contact ACA for more information.