KWH Academy’s Shelter Support Worker Certificate Program is designed to equip current and aspiring social service professionals with the trauma-informed skills and knowledge needed to support individuals facing housing challenges or transitions. Our comprehensive 5-week instructor-led, self-paced webinars walk you through clients in finding stability, accessing resources, and moving toward independent living.

Program Highlights

Comprehensive Training: You will receive training to support individuals with various housing and social service needs.

Essential Skills: Learn trauma-informed care, de-escalation strategies, cultural sensitivity, and boundary setting.

Practical Tools: Tools for navigating shelter systems and community resources.

Real-world strategies for practicing operational standards, low-barrier models, and approaches like Housing First.

Focus on the core concepts of case management, including assessment, planning, coordination, and evaluation of client care.

By the end of the program, you’ll be ready to confidently step into a professional Shelter Support Worker in settings such as shelters, social services, government agencies, and correctional facilities.

What You’ll Gain

• 40 hours of comprehensive, structured
• Online learning that is instructor-led and self-paced in a webinar format.
• Hands-on, real-world job skills aligned with employer expectations in social services.
• Employment support and job search coaching to help you transition into the field.
• 100+ hours of optional practicum volunteer placement with partner organizations.
• Career guidance, interview preparation, and résumé assistance.

Career Settings After Completion

Social service & government agencies
Correctional facilities
Shelters & community organizations
Substance abuse centres
Group homes
Mental health agencies

Career Opportunities & Procpects in Ontario

Low: 35,550 CAD per year Average: 47,700 CAD per year High: 67,015 CAD per year
Source: Canada Job Bank

Who Is It For

• Service and social orientation
• Stress tolerance
• Concern for others
• Collaboration
• Leadership
• Adaptability
• There’s a high shortage risk of shelter support workers from 2024 to 2033
• 55,400 estimated job openings align with the estimated number of people looking for work.
Source: Government of Canada

Who Can Apply

• Individuals seeking a career shift or entry into the social services sector.
• High school graduates with an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent.
• Applicants with international education credentials (must be translated and assessed for
equivalency).

If you are interested in one of our courses, please complete the form via the link, and a member of our team will contact you with the next steps for enrollment.