APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM

An apprenticeship training program consists of on-the-job and in-school training. Generally, the time-frame to become competent in the trade of Educational Assistant is 2700 hours (approximately one and a half years) consisting of 2268 hours of on-the-job work experience and 432 hours of in-school training. 

ON-THE-JOB TRAINING

An apprenticeship involves practical training provided on-the-job by a skilled worker, or trainer. The skills or competencies to be developed are set out by the trade’s Apprenticeship Training Standard and are recognized by the industry as being essential to the practice of the trade.

As these essential skills are developed, the apprentice’s sponsor or trainer signs the relevant sections of the training standard to indicate that the apprentice has met the individual training objectives by demonstrating the skills required of a skilled worker, or journeyperson, in the trade.

IN-SCHOOL TRAINING

An Educational Assistant apprenticeship includes reportable subject based of theoretical training, which includes but is not limited to instruction in:

• safe care of self and others
• introductory and developmental psychology
• educational foundations: the educational milieu, roles, responsibilities and teamwork, how children develop and learn
• personal and interpersonal skills: positive personal dynamics, analyses and solutions, behaviour management
• classroom skills: language arts, mathematics and other curriculum
• exceptionalities: introduction to exceptionalities, behaviourally and emotionally challenged, communications, intellectually challenged, physically challenged, and multiply challenged

Depending on the training delivery agency, in-school training may be available in one of the following ways:

• block release (full-time, for a set number of weeks)
• day release (one day per week from September to June)
• part-time (night-school programs)
• alternative delivery (online, correspondence, etc.)

Educational Assistant is a trade named under the Building Opportunities in the Skilled Trades Act, 2021. This trade has an apprenticeship program that is administered by the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development. Upon completion of an apprenticeship program, the Ministry issues a Certificate of Apprenticeship.

Because there is no certifying exam in this trade, Skilled Trades Ontario does not issue a Certificate of Qualification.

Because this trade is non-compulsory, the information of individuals practicing this trade will not appear on the Skilled Trades Ontario Public Register.