Below is a list of upcoming events and opportunities hosted by ORCA Stakeholders and Commercial Partners that aim to educate, inform, and inspire ORCA Operator Members and the retirement community sector at large.
The following events are not endorsed by ORCA and are intended as resources only.
St. Lawrence College – Health Information Management (HIM) Placement Opportunities
March 24 to April 18, 2025
St. Lawrence College is looking for retirement communities to host students for their final field experience placements.
This final placement requires students to conduct a project that addresses an HIM issue experienced by an actual healthcare organization, including retirement homes.
Please see the Field Placement Manual to learn more.
If you are interested in hosting a student or have any questions, please reach out to Jessyca Brannen, Placement Coordinator at St. Lawrence College by Friday, January 24, 2025.
AgeTech Toronto – Design the Senior Living Suite of 2030
January 21, 2025, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at The Village of Erin Mills, Mississauga, ON
Join AgeTech Toronto for their inaugural event that reimagines the future of senior living spaces. Through collaborative design thinking, you will learn how emerging technologies and thoughtful design can create living environments that enhance independence, wellbeing, and quality of life for seniors in 2030 and beyond.
Speakers and special guests include:
To learn more and register for this event, click here.
Humber College Winter 2025 Culinary and Recreation Field Placement Opportunities
January 8 to April 22, 2025
Humber College is looking for partners, including retirement communities, to host students for their field experience placements for the upcoming winter semester.
If you are interested in hosting a student, please create a profile and post a position in less than 10 minutes here.
Some of the programs where students are available for field placements include:
Culinary Management – Diploma
7 weeks, 32 hours per week for a minimum total of 220 work hours
Between January 8 to February 28, 2025 or March 10 to April 22, 2025
Culinary Skills – Ontario College Certificate
14 weeks, 16 hours per week for a minimum total of 220 work hours
Between January 8 to April 22, 2025
Recreating and Leisure Services – Diploma
12 weeks, 21 hours per week for a total of 250 total hours
Between January 8 to April 22, 2025
Paid opportunities are encouraged, as students may use paid employment opportunities to fulfill their field experience requirements. Offering paid opportunities may also increase the applicant pool and attract the top candidates.
Most students will be available for full-time employment following completion of their field placement. In lieu of pay, employers can choose to offer stipends or honorariums. Unpaid opportunities will be accepted.
If you have any questions or need assistance setting up your profile, please reach out to Andrew Bascome, Placement Advisor at Humber College directly.
Centre for Immigrant & Community Services: Free Workplace English Pilot Program for Personal Support Workers (PSW)
October 2024 – August 2025
The Centre for Immigrant and Community Services, a non-profit organization empowering newcomers through diverse, professional and innovative services, has recently launched their Workplace English for Personal Support Worker (PSW) Program.
This is a pilot program funded and monitored by the Ontario government. It offers tailored English training specifically for PSWs, focusing on both oral and written communication in the workplace. This training is offered to help enhance workplace clarity and boost confidence. The program highlights are as follows:
The first program cohort begins in October and will run until August 2025. Those who are interested in enrolling in the program or have questions can contact Wendy Wu at wendy.wu@cicscanada.com.
Across Generations Pen Pal Program
Connecting Seniors and Students
Across Generations, an organization led by undergraduates at Western University, is connecting seniors living in retirement communities and students through their Pen Pal Program.
The program is designed to provide emotional support and create lasting friendships through the exchange of monthly letters. Across Generations is currently collaborating with several retirement residences and is looking for more to join their initiative.
If you are interested in having your home and residents join the Pen Pal Program or have any questions, please contact acrossgens@gmail.com.