The need for personal support workers in the north

Home health care company on PSW hiring spree A northern Ontario home health care company is hiring for 60 new personal support worker positions. Eric Taschner reports.

There is a shortage of personal support workers in the north and that is why a home health care company in North Bay is reaching out to hire more staff.

Canadian Shield Health Care Services was on campus at Canadore College Tuesday trying to find the right candidates for 60 news positions and holding interviews.

The company is looking for PSWs and nurses, but it isn’t just looking for college students.

Canadian Shield says others can apply as well.

"We need 10 right away and we already hit that, so looking for more. It's going very well and I’m sure we're going to get way closer to the 60 that we thought we would get." said Maneesh Walia, the Chief Executive Officer of Canadian Shield Health Care Services.

The college and the company formed a partnership late last year.

Canadian Shield is building officers within the college's ‘village’ and is developing learning programs at the school.

Right now, the company is hiring for positions that start in the spring.

"We had quite a few prescheduled interviews and they went very, very well. The interviewees were really well prepared and had great resumes." said Walia.

The CEO says the company's on-site presence will help program delivery and workforce development. And the school says that everyone benefits.

"It's great for Canadian Shield to come on campus to do these interviews and meet with our students, as well. Not a lot of colleges are able to offer that to their students." said Ryan Drouin, the manager of Canadore’s Centre for Career Development.

The company is also hiring for positions in Elliot Lake and Parry Sound.

"We're in Sudbury right now, and we're doing the same thing in Parry Sound with Canadore Parry Sound and we'll be sitting up the same thing in Elliot Lake." said Walia.

Canadian Shield anticipates moving into its newly-renovated space at the North Bay Canadore campus between March and April.