career opportunity
Become an Education Assistant with Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools
BEAM is a six-month, part-time program that provides participants with the training and mentorship required to become an Education Assistant.
The program combines in-class sessions, observations, and an internship alongside an experienced Education Assistant mentor. The program is flexible and allows participants to maintain their current employment while receiving training to become an Education Assistant. Once complete, program graduates are qualified to work as an Education Assistant.
What is an Education Assistant (EA)?
- Education Assistants provide classroom support in elementary and secondary schools for students with physical, social, behavioural, sensory, and/or learning needs.
- Education Assistants that are hired by the district are paid $31.12/per hour with a minimum 20-hour work week. There are also opportunities to work in the district’s after school childcare programs for additional hours.
- All Education Assistant positions begin as casual positions with the opportunity to move to permanent position status.
- Casual Education Assistants are paid an additional 10.8 % in lieu of vacation and statutory holiday pay (total of $33.60/hour for casual positions).
- Once in a permanent role, Education Assistants are eligible for benefits immediately- including vacation, statutory holiday pay, and retirement plan. Dental and medical benefit eligibility begins the first day of the following month.
Applicants must:
- Have excellent communication skills.
- Have a Grade 12 graduation diploma or equivalent.
- Be proficient in English (completion of Gr. 12 level English course or equivalency).
- Be available for all in-class and internship sessions.
- Be interested in working with school-aged children with diverse needs and abilities.
How to apply:
Email a cover letter sharing why you would like to be an Education Assistant, as well as your resume, and two references to: careers@sd68.bc.ca
About the program:
- $3750 tuition ($750 initial payment to enroll. Installments and/or payroll deduction available for the remaining $3000)
- A training wage of $27.45/hour paid during internship (110 hours = $3,019.50)
- Participants may maintain current employment outside of class time while enrolled in the program.
- Flexible scheduling of observations and internship days/times is possible if hours are completed within the expected timeframe.
- The first round of the program will begin May 2025.
