As Ontario continues to expand long-term care capacity and increase hours of direct care, one truth is clear: the future of care depends on people.
At the Village of Taunton Mills, that future was on full display as students, educators, government leaders, and Schlegel Villages residents and team members gathered to celebrate provincial funding that will expand the Living Classroom model that Schlegel Villages played a key role in developing. It’s a model that brings students directly into long-term care homes to learn, train, and build careers.
Among them was Sakshi, a Personal Support Worker (PSW) student from Centennial College who is studying in the Living Classroom at Taunton Mills. Like many of her fellow students, she represents the next generation of caregivers who will be essential in meeting the growing needs of older adults in Ontario. She was excited to hear the province’s support for ongoing training as she seeks a future not only as a PSW, but eventually as a Registered Nurse.
“This opportunity changes everything,” Sakshi shared after the announcement. “For students like me, especially those from families who cannot afford high tuition, knowing there is support and a real pathway forward makes me want to work even harder.”
The Living Classroom model places students directly within long-term care homes, where learning happens alongside residents and experienced team members. Students don’t just study care; they live it, practicing skills in real environments while building confidence, judgment, and professional relationships.
Jamie Schlegel, President and CEO of Schlegel Villages, says this model benefits everyone involved.
“When you bring younger people and older adults together, something special happens,” he told those gathered in the Village’s Town Square for the announcement. “There’s a kind of magic. Students learn in meaningful ways, and residents become part of the teaching and learning process.”
The provincial investment announced by Minister of Long-Term Care Natalia Kusendova-Bashta builds on Ontario’s broader commitment to strengthening the care workforce, including increased hours of direct care, expanded training programs, and new pathways for PSWs and nurses to advance their careers.
For students like Sakshi, the announcement represents more than funding – it represents possibility. Her plan is to begin her career as a PSW, gain experience in the Village, and eventually pursue nursing.
“I feel hopeful,” she said. “I feel like I belong here, and that I have a future in this work.”
That sense of belonging is intentional. Schlegel Villages’ continuum-of-care model is designed not only to support elders as their needs change, but also to create communities where relationships matter among all stakeholders – residents, families, team members, and students alike.
As Ontario looks ahead to a rapidly aging population, partnerships like the one between Centennial College and Schlegel Villages are helping ensure the sector is ready, not just with new buildings, but with skilled, compassionate people like Sekshi, who represent the future of the caring professions.
Click here to read more from the Province of Ontario about this important announcement, and visit this page to learn more about Living Classrooms at Schlegel Villages.
