Lambton College is a publicly funded college that works in partnership with their Ontario community to create a region of innovators that work together to strengthen the local economy and meet industry demand for skilled employees.
Lambton partnered with long-term care (LTC) homes and stakeholders across Ontario, including Ontario Retirement Communities Association, Ontario Long Term Care Association, AdvantAge, and Vision ‘74, to create a standardized onboarding and micro-credential training program for students in LTC.
The project provided competency-based microcredential orientation training and curricular placement or co-op opportunities to students entering into a LTC or retirement home via a personalized, learner-owned digital training passport that is creditable towards the required training for employment within the sector. Students obtained employment-level orientation training, start their placements, and receive cross-recognition of that training when they move to another home or role after graduation.
The initiative provided the micro-credential training at no cost to approximately 1,500 students seeking co-op and placement opportunities in LTC or retirement homes across Ontario. Both the students and LTCs had free access to the web portal system for managing their training passports and auditing.
Students were supported throughout the WIL with a variety of student services, including tutoring, accommodation, academic advising and counselling, backend student learning accounts, learning content and assessment, technology, and tech support for all of the above. These 582 innovative WIL opportunities reduced the barriers for both LTCs and students to participate in WIL and contribute to effective workforce preparation.
For more information about Lambton College, visit their website
