2012 - 2013 School Year

Educational assistants work in school classrooms providing support for students with special needs. They are supervised by the teacher and the specific duties of the job will change depending on the needs of the students and the teacher. Many educational assistants work one on one with special needs students.

Philosophy

Manitoba schools are always looking for qualified teaching assistants, especially those who are trained to work with special needs students. This program aims to level the playing field for low income earners by providing an opportunity for exceptional employment training in this area, free of any tuition fees.

Program

The program, which runs from September through March, is composed of two key components: classroom theory and practicum experience. 24 successful applicants are required to attend workshops every Monday. Students who may need to acquire a grade 12 diploma may do so through Jobworks' Adult High School courses, two half days per week.

For the practicum portion of the program, students are placed in a public school, in which, they are required to be present for the equivalent of three days a week for 24 weeks (not including lunch). Absences must be made up. Students work in cooperation with the school's resource teacher, their mentor, for guidance and support. They are assessed at the end of the training period based on standards in development by Manitoba Education and Training's Provincial Special Education Review Initiative.

Eligibility

Maximum family income before tax:

Family Size

1 person $0 - $22,308 (single person with no children)

2 people $22,309 - $27,771 (couple or single parent with one child)

3 people $27,772 - $34,142

4 people 34,143 - $41,452

5 people $41,453 - $47,015

6 people $47,016 - $53,024

7 people or more $53,025 - $59,035

Pending Government Approval

Ideal candidates for this program are school volunteers, substitute educational assistants, foreign-trained teachers and parents of special needs children. It is preferred that candidates are already volunteering in schools and come with a recommendation from their principal. All candidates must be caring and reliable.

Site

Training workshops are held every Monday at Jobworks, 1175 Pembina Highway. School practicums occur in public schools within six different school divisions.

Registration

To register, applicants must attend an information and orientation meeting. Application forms will only be available at these meetings.

For further information, please contact the Program Coordinator, Allan Pfeil, at (204) 510-0990.

The program is funded and coordinated by the Manitoba Department of Competitiveness, Training and Trade with additional funding from the Manitoba Métis Federation.