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Personal support workers

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August 15, 2024 — Personal support workers (PSWs) are an important part of the health workforce, caring for some of Canada’s most vulnerable populations. ºìÁì½í¹Ï±¨has been working on advancing comparable pan-Canadian PSW data, including developing data standards and initiating data collection in collaboration with Alberta. This page includes the most recent data submitted by the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Alberta, with the approval of Alberta ºìÁì½í¹Ï±¨.

Refer to the sections below to learn about the supply, workforce, employment, education and demographics of PSWs in Alberta.

Key findings

In 2023, 

  • 29,516 PSWsFootnote iwere employed in Alberta. This number increased by 2,274 between 2022 and 2023 (an annual increase of 8.4%).
    • The majority of the PSW workforce (58%) reported part-time or casual employment status.
    • More than half of the PSWs in the workforce reported working more than 37 hours per week.
  • The majority of PSWs in Alberta were employed in nursing homes or long-term care facilities (55%), followed by community health agencies and hospitals (both at 19%).
  • There were 36,071 PSWs listed in the Alberta ºìÁì½í¹Ï±¨ Care Aide Directory who were eligible to practise in the public sector. 
    • The majority of PSWs in Alberta (95%) were younger than 60, with the highest proportion (30%) reported in the 40 to 49 age group.
    • 85.0% of the PSW supply in Alberta reported their gender as female (10.2% as male, 0.1% as non-binary).
    • Close to half (49%) of Alberta PSWs speak more than one language (i.e., English plus at least one other language).

Featured material

Data tables

These tables are meant for analysts, researchers and those who want to explore and analyze the raw data.

Access 4 years of supply, workforce, employment, education and demographic trends for Alberta’s personal support workers.

Download data tables(XLSX)

Methodology notes

These notes are meant for all data users.

They summarize the sources, definitions, strengths and limitations of the data available.

Download methodology notes(PDF)

Report

Recommendations for Advancing Pan-Canadian Data Capture for Personal Support Workers

Learn about CIHI’s recommendations for advancing PSW data.

Download the report (PDF)

Contact us

hwi@cihi.ca

Footnote

i.

Back to Footnote i in text

Data on Alberta PSWs is likely to be under-reported since enrolment in Alberta’s ºìÁì½í¹Ï±¨ Care Aide Directory is mandatory only for PSWs working in the public sector. PSWs who work in the private sector are not mandated to register in the directory to maintain employment. For more information, see the methodology notes.

 

How to cite:

Canadian Institute for ºìÁì½í¹Ï±¨ Information. Personal support workers. Accessed December 22, 2024.

If you would like ºìÁì½í¹Ï±¨information in a different format, visit our Accessibility page.