Education Assistant Professional Certificate

Employment Opportunities

As an Education Assistant you may assist teachers in the delivery of appropriate instruction and provide students with learning support. Support may be provided in the areas of learning, behavioural challenges, physical and self-care and supervision. Educational Assistants may also work with individuals with exceptionalities in various agencies and learning institutions supporting students in developing life skills, employment skills, and other related skills that help individuals to be independent and self-supporting.

This 6-month (25 week) program prepares you for careers working in educational settings such as public and private schools, early intervention programs, child care centres, private agencies, and other learning institutions that provide support/service to children, youth, and adults with exceptionalities. Education Assistants may earn up to $62,000 per year to start. Be employment ready in 6 months!

Introduction

Why choose Columbia College’s Education Assistant Certificate program?

• Columbia College has been successfully preparing Education Assistants since 1995. We know what you need to learn to be an Education Assistant that employers value.
• You will learn theory that gives you a solid foundation in such areas as child development, approaches to learning, behaviour management, working with various exceptionalities, and supporting instruction across the curriculum and planning for inclusion.
• You will put theory into practice through 150 hours of practicum experience and 10 hours of practicum seminars. We have built a solid reputation with our practicum sites that will help you get a practicum placement and opportunity for employment.
• Get additional training to be work ready – you will receive Non-Violent Crisis Intervention Training certification as part of your practicum preparation.
• We prepare you for success in our program. We offer you tuition-free College Skills for Success Program (20 hours) prior to the start of your program. We don’t leave anything to chance.
• You may be able to transfer your courses to our Human Services Diploma and add to your credentials. In our diploma you will experience further in-depth courses in areas such as: How to work with children with FASD and children with Autism; how to support ESL learners; instructional support in Mathematics, etc. Check out our Human Services Diploma.

This program is licensed by the Private Vocational Training Branch of the Alberta Government.

Graduation/Employment Success

2018 – 2019: 96% graduation rate
2018 – 2019: 89% employment rate

Employers of Graduates

The following is a list of organizations that have hired graduates of this program:

• Calgary Board of Education
• Renfrew Educational Services
• Pace Kids
• Hawkwood Childcare Centre
• Kids & Company
• St. Wilfrid Elementary School
• STEM Learning Lab
• Child’s Way Child Care
• Rockyview Schools
• Calgary Catholic School board
• Banded Peak School
• E.C.I. Preschool
• Monsignor AJ Hetherington Elementary School