Education assistant program starts in Grade 12

Grade 12 students can get a head start on becoming certified education assistants.

A 4 1/2-month, full-time program is being offered at George Elliot Secondary School in Lake Country. It prepares students to work in B.C. school districts as well as with special-needs adults in group homes and individual families who have children that need assistance.

“School District No. 23 approached us to form a dual-credit partnership and help bring forward the next generation of education assistants,” said Valerie Banks, program co-ordinator at Okanagan College. “The demand for EAs is high within Kelowna’s school district, which requires all EAs to be certified.”

Tiffany Walker is a recent graduate of the program.

“I’ve always loved being with children and once I found out there was an established route to becoming an education assistant, I jumped on the opportunity. I’m very happy I did,” Walker said in a news release.

Students accepted into the program can split their final academic year, spending the first half completing their Grade 12 studies and the second half studying and working toward completion of an education assistant certificate from the college.

The school district hosts a workshop for students on its hiring process and helps the students land a month-long practicum.

The education assistant certificate program is accepting applications until Sept. 29 for the January intake. Seats are available for the general public as well.

For more information about the program, visit okanagan.bc.ca/ea.