Academy of Learning graduates third class to fill local healthcare gaps

Fifty new graduates in Fort Erie are entering the job market, many stepping into healthcare roles at a time when personal support workers are in critically short supply.

The Academy of Learning Career College on Central Avenue held a graduation on Friday, its third ceremony since opening in 2022, with most students completing the fast-track personal support worker (PSW) program.

Local families and long-term care homes benefit directly, as many graduates have been hired where they did their placements.

With Niagara hospitals and care homes still facing shortages, Campus Director Andrew Liu said the program helps bridge a critical gap.

“This is a win-win solution for employers desperate for PSWs, and for highly motivated individuals who want to change their lives,” he said.

The school also trains students in business, social services, technology and medical office administration, fields where employers across Niagara are also facing shortages.

“We specialize in short career training, and we’re proud to have a graduating class of over 50 students, of which 30 have RSVP’d for today’s graduation,” said Liu.

Instructors Kathy Zessbarnett and Nora Bridges, both of whom were previously nurses and long-time instructors of personal support workers, said the intensity of the six-month program is demanding, but the payoff is clear compared to other year-long online courses.

“With health care, it’s important to keep it in-person. It’s hands-on learning, using equipment, practicing skills. You just can’t get that online,” said Zessbarnett.

According to internal provincial documents released through freedom of information last year, 37,700 personal support workers were needed in Ontario in 2024, a figure projected to rise to 48,977 by 2027.

Graduates are diverse in age and background, with many retraining after immigration or career changes. That includes Joyc Nalunkuma, who now works in long-term care.

“I finished school in six months, and immediately I got a job because of my placement,” she told Fort Erie Radio. “Now I’m working in long-term care, which is what I love to do.”

Unlike nearby Cappa College, which focuses on skilled trades, the Academy of Learning specializes in health care and service sector training. Both schools are operated by Liu.

The Fort Erie campus plans to expand to St. Catharines in coming years.

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