Get the Skills to Become an Education Assistant

Education Assistant in a classroom setting with children and the teacher. — Education Assistants work under the supervision of a teacher, providing additional assistance and instruction to students

36-Week^* Education Assistant Training Program in British Columbia

Education Assistants play a crucial role in any educational setting. They work under the direction of a teacher and provide support in various aspects of classroom instruction. They provide individual attention to students who need extra help, ensuring that all students are able to keep up with the class.

If you’re a patient, compassionate individual who enjoys working with children, Cambria College’s Education Assistant program could be an excellent opportunity for you.

The best way to see if Cambria College is the right fit for you is to come in and visit the school. You can tour our facilities, and meet with both students and instructors. Book an Appointment Now or Get more info.

Education Assistant Overview

36-Week* Diploma | $56,311 median annual salary***

Expected Job Openings in BC (2023-2033): 7,110**
Graduates hired by public and private elementary, middle and high schools
Advance into Teaching, Education Consulting, and much more!

**https://www.workbc.ca/career-profiles/elementary-and-secondary-school-teacher-assistants visited on May 30, 2024. Salary source for elementary and secondary school teacher assistants in British Columbia with lowest 10% earning $43,638 to the highest 10% of workers earning $62,753.

Qualified Education Assistant Training

This diploma program focuses on preparing you for a career as an Education Assistant. This program will provide you with a solid theoretical and practical foundation enabling you to assist students who have been identified as having exceptional educational needs and/or having developmental disabilities. As a team member, you will provide behavioral support, learning support, and personal care and facilitate inclusion, communication and social interaction.

Designed to prepare graduates for NOC 4413;

Education Assistant

Is a Career as an Education Assistant Right for You? Take the Cambria College “Education Assistant Career Training Readiness Quiz”

This fun, online quiz takes 3-minutes to complete and you’ll get a personalized report. Identify your strengths and social style plus the training and positions you’re best suited for. Get Your Education Assistant Career Training Readiness Score Now >>

Practical On-The-Job Training

At Cambria College, we believe that you should not only complete training with theoretical knowledge, but with real experience in the industry. That’s why students in the Education Assistant program will complete a 180-hour practicum placement during their training.

Your practicum enables you to apply what you’ve learned in a real setting and gain not only experience to put on your resume, but also industry connections, references, and confidence.

Course Breakdown

Course No.	Course Name	Hours
BCA100	Business Computer Applications	20
EA001	Role of an Education Assistant	50
EA002	Inclusive Education	50
EA003	Child Development	100
EA004	Augmentative and Alternative Communication	50
EA005	Professional Communication for an Education Assistant	50
EA006	Students with Behavioral Differences	50
EA007	Autism Spectrum Disorder	50
EA008	Applied Behavior Analysis	50
EA009	Exceptional Learners	60
EA010	Supporting Communication &Language Development	50
EA011	Supporting Personal Care	50
EA012	Supporting Learners with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Syndrome	25
CS100	Career and Employment Strategies	20
POPARD	POPARD: Introduction to Autism Spectrum Disorders	35
SFA	First Aid & CPR/AED Level C Certification	16
NVCI	Non-Violent Crisis Interventions (NVCI Certification)	8
WHMIS	Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS)	1
EA013	Practicum	180
	TOTAL	915

Program Duration

Total Program Hours	915
Work Experience Hours	180
Total Program Weeks	36*

Admissions Requirements

1. High School Graduation or equivalent OR mature student status (19 years or older prior to starting the program)

2. Meet one of the following English Language Proficiency requirements:

- Minimum Grade 12 English (Domestic Students)
- For English as second language students;
  - International English Language Testing System (IELTS) overall band of 6.0 or higher, with a minimum 6.0 in each band,
  - Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT) 73,
  - Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL PBT) 540-543,
  - Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC) 700,
  - Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP) 7 or higher, with a minimum of 6.0 in all four skills,
  - Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL): Score of 50 or higher with no sub score less than 50,
  - Pearson Test of English (PTE): Score of 46 or higher,
  - Cambridge English Language FCE,
  - Language Proficiency Index (LPI): Level 4 with an essay score of 26 or higher,
  - Duolingo English Test (DUOLINGO) 95

- Pass the College’s English Admission test with 60% or higher.

3. Clear Criminal Record Check Completion under the Criminal Record Review Program (CRRP)

This program is approved by the Private Training Institution Branch (PTIB) of the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills.

Learning Objectives

Upon successful completion of the program, you will be able to:

Work to promote and model positive and pro-social behaviour in all aspects of your role with the learners, peers, supervisors, members of the educational team.
Work under the direction of teachers, administrators, or other professionals
Assist in the development and implementation of individualized or group communication skills, behavioral support, learning support, life-skills development, and work experience.
Assist in the modification and adaptation of curriculum to meet the individual learning needs of students.
Attend to and provide personal assistance to students who require assistance with toileting, positioning, diapering, mobility, feeding, grooming, and dressing.
Carry out behavior modification, personal development, and other therapeutic programs under supervision of professionals such as psychologists or speech-language pathologists.

Program Fees

Domestic Students:

Application Fee: $250
Assessment Fee: $100
Tuition: $11,975
Textbooks: $1,500
Others: $50

Total: $13,875

International Students:

Application Fee: $500
Assessment Fee: $250
Tuition: $15,425
Textbooks: $1,500
Others: $50

Total: $17,725

Career Opportunities for Educational Assistants

This program prepares graduates to work as an Educational Assistant for school districts in elementary, middle, and high schools, in before and after school programs, preschools, in life skills training programs as after school tutors, home support and respite care assistants, and as assistants in recreation programs for children and adolescents with special needs.

Rewarding Career as an Education Assistant

If you’re interested in learning more about a career as an Education Assistant and exploring whether Cambria College is right for you, fill out the form on this page to receive more information.

For immediate questions, call your nearest Cambria College location today.

Richmond: (604) 242-4000
Surrey: (604) 416-5522
Vancouver: (604) 428-7500
Victoria: (778) 265-7547

*Program length when completed in normal time