Vickers Distance Education offers a “Personal Support Worker – Entry Level” course approved on March 6th, 2024 by the Office of Apprenticeship and Occupational Certification, of the Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour (Attachment 1, PETL approval of PSW – EL Course, March 6th, 2024).

This certification qualifies people for work in New Brunswick’s Special Care Homes, Adult Residential Facilities and Home Support Agencies.

The course consists of 5 Assignments, 5 Tests, 3 Workshops, 70 hours of paid on-the-job training and results in a “Personal Support Worker – Entry Level” certificate.

Who is Elizabeth Vickers?

Ms. Vickers’ educational background includes a Bachelor of Nursing,  a Master’s of Business Administration and two certificates in Advanced and Diabetic Foot Care Management.  As a Registered Nurse, she had 5 years experience in various clinical settings, when she started working in the Home Support Industry in 1992.  In 1994, she started her first home care agency, and developed a Health Care Aide program to train her own workers.

Personal Support Worker – Entry Level Course (History)

The Vickers’ Health Care Aide for Special Care Homes course was recognized by the office of Apprenticeship and Occupational Certification, of the Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour, June 24th, 2021, “as an approved technical training program for the occupation of Personal Support Worker.” (Attachment 2, PETL approval of HCA Course, June 24th, 2021).

PETL’s approval of Vickers PSW Course qualified people for work in New Brunswick’s Special Care Homes, Adult Residential Facilities, Home Support Agencies, Nursing Homes and Hospitals.

In February 2024, PETL discussed their decision to divide the PSW Training into 2 Parts; an Entry Level course that would prepare people to work in Special Care Homes, Adult Residential Facilities and Home Support Agencies, and a full PSW course, which would add eligibility for graduates to also work in Nursing Homes and Hospitals.

Ms. Vickers’ discussions with PETL acknowledged that graduates who initiated training between June 24th, 2021, and March 6th, 2024, would retain their full PSW Certification (Attachment 3, PETL discussions, March 22nd, 2024).