New innovative program addresses significant shortage of educational staff
The Catholic school board in Simcoe Muskoka is the first in the province to offer an innovative program to address the overwhelming shortage of educational assistants (EA).
The Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board (SMCDSB), in partnership with the Ministry of Labour, offers the Educational Assistant Apprenticeship program, allowing EA supply staff to work in schools while becoming fully qualified EAs.
Sarah Hoggarth is one of roughly 30 applicants through the school board.
"For 15 years, I've wanted to go to school, but I just haven't been able to afford school and not working," she says. "I could apply for a full-time job or long-term occasional spots, and without this program, I just wouldn't have been able to do that."
"Educational assistant is a huge supportive role for our highest needs students in the school, and there has been a shortage over COVID, and we have a hard time some days filling positions," says Brad Shoreman, Adult Continuing and Community Education SMCDSB principal.
The apprenticeship program offers on-the-job training and in-class technical instruction.
Those interested in applying can do so at any time. The program can take two to three years to complete to become an EA anywhere in Ontario.
Shoreman adds that other school boards are working to implement the same program with hopes of recruiting more staff to fill the need.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trudeau acknowledges charges in Nijjar killing, calls for commitment to democracy
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has acknowledged the charges laid Friday in relation to the murder of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
Bodies recovered in Mexico likely 2 Australians, 1 American who went missing: officials
Three bodies recovered in an area of Baja California are likely to be those of the two Australians and an American who went missing last weekend during a camping and surfing trip, the state prosecutor’s office said Saturday.
Princess Anne lays wreath at B.C. veteran's cemetery; receives 21-gun salute
Princess Anne paid tribute to veterans buried at a cemetery in British Columbia today, laying a wreath to honour the more than 2,500 military personnel and family members buried there.
Mystik Dan wins the 150th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in a three-horse photo finish
Mystik Dan won the 150th Kentucky Derby in a photo finish, edging out Forever Young and Sierra Leone for the upset victory.
'I just can't believe that it took so long': Body found in wreckage 3 months after deadly fire
A man accused of arson in a January Old Strathcona apartment fire is expected to be charged with manslaughter after a body was discovered in the burned building late last month.
Quebec police hand out hundreds of tickets to Hells Angels and other bikers before 'first run' meeting
Quebec provincial police handed out hundreds of fines to Hells Angels members and other supporting motorcycle clubs who met for their 'first run' in a small town near Sherbrooke, Que.
Work stoppage possible as WestJet issues lockout notice to maintenance engineers' union
A lockout notice issued by WestJet to a union representing aircraft maintenance engineers could result in a work stoppage next week.
London Drugs begins 'gradual reopening' on 7th day after cyberattack
Almost a week after all London Drugs stores across Western Canada abruptly closed amid a cyberattack, they began a "gradual reopening" on Saturday.