Northern College Collaborates with Local School Boards to Launch Educational Support Worker Micro-Credential

Northern College has announced a partnership with the District School Board Ontario Northeast (DSB1) and the Northeastern Catholic District School Board (NCDSB) to develop and offer a micro-credential program for educational support workers. This initiative aims to provide training for unqualified educational support workers to assist students facing challenges in elementary and secondary classrooms.

The micro-credential program will cover fundamental concepts related to child and youth development, ensuring that participants acquire the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively support student learning in the classroom.

Dean Lessard, Senior Vice President Academic at Northern College, stated that the college is committed to meeting the educational demands of the community by leveraging local sector knowledge and experience.

NCDSB Director Tricia Stefanic Weltz expressed support for the initiative, highlighting its potential impact on the success of educational support workers in schools. Similarly, DSB1 Director of Education Lesleigh Dye emphasized confidence in the program's ability to empower staff and support students.

The Learning Excellence and Innovation Department at Northern College played a role in developing the program, which is designed to be accessible and allow full-time board employees to upgrade their skills through a flexible delivery model. Janna Duval, a program developer, noted that the goal is to provide a high-quality educational experience that accommodates those unable to pursue traditional study methods.

This collaboration aims to enhance staff development and contribute to attracting and retaining talent in the region, ultimately improving outcomes for students and staff in Northeastern Ontario.