George Brown Polytechnic is located on the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and other Indigenous peoples who have lived here over time. We are grateful to share this land as treaty people who learn, work and live in the community with each other.
Building stronger communities for 50 years
The Community Worker program prepares students to work in solidarity with communities, from a rights-based and empowerment approach, toward lasting social change.
Students are taught to understand and analyze the historical, social, political, economic and systemic ways in which current issues, needs and injustices have developed and continue to be experienced by Canada’s many marginalized communities.
Community Worker Program Features:
- Training graduates to work as agents for progressive social change for 50 years
- Program faculty bring location, national and global experience to the classroom
- Access a network of more than 350 agencies across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and beyond
- Home of the Tommy Douglas Institute of Labour and Social Justice (founded by program faculty) and the Courage My Friends podcast (hosted on rabble.ca)
- Direct entry into year two for Graduates of Anishnawbe Health Toronto’s (AHT) Community Health Worker Training program
You can learn more about our programs below:
Ready to apply?
Choose the right program and apply
Find the Right Community Worker Program for You
Apply now and start in May 2026
Community Worker (Accelerated) (C131)
Apply to this condensed program stream if you have an existing diploma or bachelor’s degree. Program starts in May.
Graduates of this program are eligible to apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).
Apply now and start in September 2026
Community Worker (C101)
Apply to this two-year program stream if you have a high school diploma or are a mature student. Program starts in September.
Graduates of this program are eligible to apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).
Interested in a career in human services but don't have the academic qualifications?
Our Human Services Foundations preparatory program will help you strengthen your academic skills and prepare you for entry-level employment in the human services sector and/or further education in a variety of human services-related diploma programs.
Advancing ideas for change
Each spring, the Community Worker program hosts the Tommy Douglas Institute of Labour and Social Justice – a forum that brings together educational and wider communities to discuss and debate issues of education, community and social justice change in the 21st century. Climate change, Indigenous issues and food justice are just some of the topics we’ve previously explored.
Student success story - meet Gigi
Hands-on experience
With over 200+ agency and community partnerships, you’ll have access to a range of field placement sites that reflect the wide variety of roles and settings where you could ultimately work. From food banks, community food centres, settlement services and government agencies, our extensive network will help you build your own professional network and get established in this sector.
Have questions?
Contact School of Social & Community Services at:
Phone: 416-415-5000, ext. 2185 (Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.)
Email: communityservices@georgebrown.ca
Community Worker Program Co-ordinator:
Farhia Abdi
Email: fabdi7@georgebrown.ca
Phone: 416-415-5000, ext. 3926
For more information about George Brown Polytechnic, you may also call the Contact Centre at 416-415-2000 or long distance 1-800-265-2002.