The educational assistant works in the educational environment including elementary and secondary schools, special needs groups, as well as in community-based programs. They are trained to work with children who need more individual attention.

The educational assistant’s role is to meet the needs of specific students, and/or program needs within the school. The educational assistant works under the direction and guidance of the teacher, offering meaningful assistance and educational help. The educational assistant’s responsibility extends to creating a positive and stimulating learning environment, and implementing individual educational program plans under the teacher’s supervision.

Upon successfully completing the apprenticeship program, including both the in-class and on-the-job training components, a person working in this trade is entitled to a Certificate of Apprenticeship.

Apprenticeship Duration

2 to 3 years

The Educational Assistant Apprenticeship is based on competencies through demonstrated skills rather than on a fixed number of hours on the job. The benchmark is approximately 2,700 hours.

The apprenticeship is completed when the apprentice has achieved competency in all of the on-the-job performance objectives and when all levels of in-school training have been successfully completed.

Educational Requirement

Grade 12 or equivalency

In-school Training
Northern College offers the two levels of theory training required for the Educational Assistant Apprenticeship Program.

Training is currently delivered in part-time format, through distance education and independent learning. Level One is 213 hours, while Level Two is 219 hours.

Training can also be delivered in a block format, and may also be community-based depending on the demonstrated need (minimum number of students required).

Topics include:

• Introductory Psychology
• Educational Foundations:
• Roles, Responsibilities, Teamwork
• How Children Learn and Develop
• Orientation to schools and the Assistant Role: Practicum I & II
• Classroom Skills:
• Language Arts
• Mathematics and Other Curriculum
• Concrete Materials and Technology
• Personal and Interpersonal Dynamics:
• Analyses and Solutions
• Behaviour Management
• Exceptionalities:
• Introduction to Exceptionalities
• Behaviourally and Emotionally Challenged (includes crisis intervention)
• Intellectually Challenged
• Physically Challenged
• Multiple Challenged
• Communications
• Computers in the Classroom
• Working Safely:
• Standard First Aid
• Safe Care of Self and Others

For program information: