At Osgoode Care Centre (OCC), care starts with people. Not just those living within its walls, but the dedicated team behind the scenes—serving meals, maintaining a safe home, and showing up each day with compassion. Now, some of those very people are stepping into a new chapter, thanks to a training program that’s reimagining how long-term care grows its workforce.
The opportunity began when the Ontario Centres for Learning, Research and Innovation in Long-Term Care (CLRI) approached OCC to join their Preceptor Resource and Education Program in Long-Term Care (PREP LTC). PREP LTC provides long-term care homes funding to help increase the quality of and capacity for clinical student placements in Ontario. It was a powerful vote of confidence in the quality of care at Osgoode—and in the strength of the team delivering it.
This unique model allows current OCC staff—many from departments like food services, housekeeping, and nursing aides—to receive one-on-one mentorship while completing their training to become certified PSWs. Students experience the hands-on portion of their course right at OCC.
But the real magic lies in who’s leading them.
The hands-on learning is guided by PSW preceptors—experienced, highly respected PSWs who are hand-picked for their leadership, professionalism, and deep understanding of resident-centered care. These preceptors receive specialized training through the Ontario CLRI to support and mentor students. They’re not just supervising—they’re coaching, teaching, and inspiring.
This role gives preceptors a chance to step into leadership while staying grounded in the work they love. And they take it seriously. From building trust to offering real-time feedback, they play a crucial role in helping new PSWs grow with confidence and purpose.
Pam Clement, OCC’s Human Resource Manager and a former PSW herself, saw the potential early on.
“You can feel the energy in the building when the preceptors are working with the students,” Pam shares. “They take such pride in sharing their knowledge, and the students—many of whom have worked here for years in other roles—are so eager to grow. This program is a win all around.”
And the results speak for themselves. To date, OCC has retained 99% of the students who’ve completed the program. That’s not just a number—it’s a stronger, more stable workforce made up of people who already understand the home and care deeply about its residents.
At Osgoode Care Centre, growth isn’t just encouraged—it’s built into the way the team works. Because when you invest in people, you build something stronger than a workforce. You build community, loyalty, and leadership from the inside out.
Written by Courtney Rock, Fundraising and Communications Manager, Osgoode Care Centre
Acknowledgement
Funded by the Ministry of Long-Term Care, PREP LTC is led by the Ontario Centres for Learning, Research and Innovation in Long-Term Care (CLRI) at the Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging in collaboration with the Ontario CLRI teams at Baycrest Academy for Research and Education and Bruyère Health Research Institute. The views expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of the Province.