Ontario Invests Over $21M to Train Long-Term Care Staff in Rural and Northern Communities
Ontario investing over $21 million to train long-term care staff through Learn and Earn programs focused on rural and northern communities.
TORONTO — The Ontario government is investing more than $21 million to help strengthen staffing in long-term care homes by training and upskilling 700 frontline workers, with a focus on rural, remote, and northern communities.
The funding supports two targeted workforce development programs designed to help existing long-term care staff advance their qualifications while ensuring residents receive consistent, high-quality care close to home.
Premier Doug Ford said the investment builds on the province’s broader effort to stabilize and strengthen the long-term care system across Ontario.
“We’re making record investments to staff, build and upgrade long-term care across Ontario, including in rural and northern communities, to ensure residents have the safe and supportive homes they deserve,” Ford said. “We will continue to support innovative programs like Learn and Earn to ensure residents in rural and northern communities have access to quality care.”
Expanding the Long-Term Care Workforce
The $21.5 million investment will be delivered over four years through two programs under Ontario’s Learn and Earn model:
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PSW Learn and Earn Program:
$17.6 million to help existing long-term care staff—such as resident support personnel and dietary aides—train as personal support workers (PSWs) through online coursework and paid, on-site clinical placements. -
PSW to PN Learn and Earn Program:
$3.9 million to support 40 current PSWs in upgrading their credentials to become registered practical nurses (RPNs).
Both programs will be delivered by Humber Polytechnic and are designed to allow workers to train without leaving their home communities, a key benefit for smaller and remote regions facing persistent staffing challenges.
Today, we announced an additional $21 million to expand Ontario’s Learn and Earn program. This investment will help more PSWs and nurses train and advance their careers, while supporting seniors across the province. Find out more: https://t.co/5h8jybSFi3 pic.twitter.com/iptvHioTCG
— Doug Ford (@fordnation) February 5, 2026
Building on Record Staffing Investments
The new funding builds on Ontario’s $4.9 billion, four-year staffing plan, which has already helped add tens of thousands of nurses and PSWs to the workforce. In 2025, the province surpassed its target of providing an average of four hours of daily direct care per long-term care resident.
According to the province, residents are now receiving more than one additional hour of daily care compared to 2021—a 36 per cent increase.
Minister of Long-Term Care Natalia Kusendova-Bashta said the latest investment strengthens the training pipeline while supporting retention.
“This new investment will help existing staff build the skills they need to grow their careers and ensure long-term care residents continue to receive world-class care close to home,” she said.
Supporting Care Close to Home
Postsecondary leaders and sector organizations say the programs are especially important for rural and northern Ontario, where recruiting new workers can be difficult.
Humber Polytechnic President and CEO Dr. Ann Marie Vaughan said the Learn and Earn model removes financial barriers for working learners and helps retain staff where they are needed most.
Meanwhile, Colleges Ontario President and CEO Maureen Adamson emphasized the importance of accessible, community-based training for frontline workers.
Long-term care sector leaders also welcomed the announcement, noting that investing in current staff helps protect continuity of care while supporting career growth.
Looking Ahead
Ontario’s long-term care strategy is built on four pillars: staffing and care, quality and enforcement, building modern homes, and improving access to services. As part of that plan, the province is building 58,000 new and upgraded long-term care beds and expanding nursing and PSW training across Ontario.
The government says investments like Learn and Earn are key to ensuring the system can meet the needs of a rapidly aging population while maintaining care standards in every region of the province.
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