Educational Assistant Pre-Apprenticeship Program

Expression of Interest – Educational Assistant Pre-Apprenticeship Program

The Simcoe County District School Board (SCDSB) is now accepting applications from individuals for consideration in the new Pre-Apprenticeship Program as an Educational Assistant. This program has been developed to provide training to individuals who may be interested in a career as an Educational Assistant.

Applicants accepted into the Pre-Apprenticeship Program will have an interest in providing quality services and programming to students in grades Kindergarten to Grade 12 across Simcoe County. The board is seeking individuals interested in the trade of an Educational Assistant who have previous experience working with children and youth in a wide variety of settings, including schools and/or in the community. As a requirement for this program, successful applicants must be between the ages of 19-29.

In this program applicants will:

• Receive mentorship from a qualified Educational Assistant within the SCDSB as they supervise and assist individual(s) or groups of students during classroom activities, recess, lunch, field trips, excursions, bus and/or taxi arrivals.
• Observe the preparation or modification of programs and/or materials.
• Learn how to support students in academic, behaviour, social, and life skills situations.
• Support the qualified Educational Assistant Mentor as they provide direct intervention in accordance with the students’ Individual Education Plan (IEP) and Notification of Worker Risk (SP-NoWR) in managing behavioural and immediate safety needs of students using the principles of Behaviour Management Systems (BMS).
• Attend meetings and participate in professional development sessions as required.

Program funding for successful applicants:

• Funded by the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD).
• Paid training for Behaviour Management Systems certification (de-escalation strategies) and lifting/transferring training.
• Successful applicants will receive paid in-classroom training in Simcoe County District School Board schools over a 10-week period working 4 hours a day for 5 days per week.
• Paid professional development training in addition to the paid in-classroom training.
• Opportunity to become First Aid Certified.
• This program will be facilitated by the Adult and Continuing Education Department.

Education, Experience and Qualifications:

• Ontario Secondary School Diploma or equivalent.
• Related experience working with children and/or youth.
• Proficient verbal and written communication skills.
• Proficient interpersonal skills, organizational skills.
• The ability to work as a member of an interdisciplinary team.

Guided by the principles of dignity, individualization and inclusion, the Simcoe County District School Board (SCDSB) is committed to creating an equitable and inclusive environment that supports all human rights and accessibility needs for students and staff. The SCDSB recognizes the duty to accommodate, short of undue hardship as per the Ontario Human Rights Code (OHRC) and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA).

We value and are committed to upholding the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and equitable hiring practices for all applicants to be successful. In support of our strategic priorities, we are seeking members who reflect diverse identities, lived experiences and perspectives, especially Indigenous peoples, racialized persons, persons with disabilities, 2SLGBTQ+, and women to assist the board in reflecting the community we serve. Our equitable hiring initiative is consistent with the Ontario Human Rights Code (OHRC) to ensure that our hiring practices remain equitable to candidates from groups protected by the prohibited grounds under the Code.

Applicants are to provide permission to contact two professional references, including their current and most recent supervisor. New hires to the Simcoe County District School Board will be required to submit a Vulnerable Sector Check (VSC) that is satisfactory to the Board prior to beginning employment. All new employees will be required to complete mandatory training modules with the Board prior to their first day of employment. All applicants are thanked for their interest in this position; however, only those who have been shortlisted for an interview will be contacted.